University of Houston
SMU
Cougar Comeback Falls Just Short
9/25/2014 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
HOUSTON - The Houston Cougar soccer team came up just short on their comeback bid, falling to the SMU Mustangs 3-2, in their American Athletic Conference opener, Thursday night at Carl Lewis Field.
After falling behind early, Houston used a couple of second-half goals from juniors Meghan Brascia and Lexa Green to right the ship, but was unable to find the equalizer before time ran out.
"We did a very good job of reorganizing at halftime and making some adjustments to put some more pressure on them," head coach Chris Pfau said. "That paid off with a couple of goals and some great opportunities. The intensity and the fight were there in the second half, and if we had that in the first half this might have been a different result."
Houston fell behind in the second minute when Clair Oates headed in a shot from the far post off a corner kick from Lauren Harrington. Nearly eight minutes later, SMU ran a similar play with the same result. Before the half was over, Oates would have a hat-trick and the Cougars would have to play from behind.
"This was a disappointing game from the standpoint of we came out nervous and gave up some soft goals early," Pfau said. "In conference you cannot start off slow. These teams are too good and experienced to allow you to get behind and make a comeback."
However the Cougars were nearly able to mount that comeback after Brascia drilled a ball into the upper left corner of the net from outside the box off a free kick late in the first half.
Houston came out strong in the second half, and in the 61st minute, Green found the back of the net on a ball from Hailey Kirkwood. Kirkwood dribbled around defenders into the box before passing over to Green who buried the shot.
The Cougars continued to pressure the Mustangs in the second half, outshooting SMU 9-3, but could not put home the eventual equalizer.
"We need to learn that we have to have this in fight in us every game," Pfau said. "We cannot wait for things to happen. We are a good solid team, and that showed in the second half. Hopefully that will give us some confidence through conference play."
UP NEXT
Houston has a much needed Sunday break, before heading on the road to Florida next week. Houston will face South Florida Friday Oct. 3 at 6:30 p.m., in Tampa, before traveling to Orlando to take on UCF on Sunday Oct. 5 at noon.
TICKETS
Season tickets for the upcoming 2014 Houston Cougar soccer season are on sale now for just $50. Houston's schedule features nine home games with different themes on display for each game. For more information or to purchase tickets contact the Houston Athletics Ticket Office at 713-GO-COOGS (462-6647) or click here.
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