University of Houston
Temple
Houston Falls 2-1 in Regular Season Finale
10/25/2015 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
HOUSTON â€" The Houston Cougar women's soccer team wrapped up the 2015 regular season with a tough 2-1 loss to the Temple Owls in Philadelphia, Pa. on Sunday.
Houston fell behind early in the contest, but fought their way back to pull even on a goal by Georgi Dolence in the 63rd minute, but the Owls got the game-winning goal late in the match with a score in the 85th minute to go ahead for good.
"We knew this was going to be an ugly game," Head Coach Chris Pfau said. "We left everything we had at UConn physically and mentally. Our four midfielders are either injured or beat up pretty bad. This was a game we had to use the bench and just keep subbing, and when we do that it is hard to find rhythm. Our first half was worse than we played all year. We were flat and did not compete. The thing that has impressed me the most is that we have never given up in any game. We talked at halftime of when the game ends we do everything we can to try to win this game. We did that and there is nothing more I can ask."
Elaine Byerly started the scoring for Temple when she connected on her first goal of the season. Byerly took a one-touch pass from Kelly Farrell and was able to finish in the top-left corner from outside the box.
Houston found the scoreboard midway through the second half off one of the team's five corner kick chances. After the corner was played into the box, a scramble for the ball ensued in which Dolence was able to finish to knot the score. The goal for Dolence was her first of the season, and the second of her career.
The two teams remained deadlocked for the next 20 minutes, until Temple could find the back of the net with just four minutes to play. Gabriella McKeown drove the ball up the right side of the field, before playing into the box for Farrell. Farrell was able to finish in the bottom right corner for her 12th goal of the season.
"This has been a great season in regards of how we are playing, the level we are playing at and the effort in every game," Pfau said. "These seniors have taken our program to a new level. I told them after the game that we know, other coaches know it, and there is a buzz after our games with fans that haven seen us over the years. It has been great to watch this growth this year. Our goal after last season was with all the ties in non-conference to start winning those, and we did. We got our RPI to 150 in the country entering conference. Our goal next fall is all these losses at the end of games must now become wins. We are there and this team can do it. Thanks seniors for everything you have done for this program. Houston soccer is now relevant."
2015 SHASTA PASS
The Houston Fan Experience Headquarters is proud to offer the Shasta Pass for the 2015-16 athletic season. For just $50, Cougar fans can purchase one Shasta Pass, which allows season-long general admission entrance to all Houston Soccer, Women's Basketball, Volleyball and Softball home games.
The Shasta Pass offers Houston fans a substantial savings as single-game tickets start at $8 for all four sports. Fans can save $126 alone during the Houston Volleyball and Soccer seasons. To purchase a Shasta Pass, CLICK HERE.
STAY CONNECTED
Follow Houston Soccer on Twitter @UHCougarSoccer and "Like" /HoustonCougarSoccer on Facebook.
