Women’s Soccer: Owls fail to beat UTEP, UTSA

Lack of scoring prevents first conference win of season.

Brandon Harrington

UTSA sophomore midfielder Makayla Schmidt (13) fights for possession against Owls junior defender Sophie Sanchez (1) during last Sunday’s 1-0 Owls loss. Brandon Harrington| Photo Editor

Ryan Lynch, Sports Editor

Women’s soccer could not break their losing streak over the weekend, falling to both UTSA and UTEP during the weekend.

The program has lost their last five games, after going 6-1 in their first seven games. Here’s what you need to know from this weekend’s slate of games:

 

Game One:

UTEP 2, FAU 1

The Owls started the week on Friday against UTEP in the second match of their three game homestand, looking to earn their first ever win in conference play versus the Miners.

Senior midfielder Claire Emslie opened the game’s scoring in the 22nd minute with her third goal of the year, beating Miners keeper Alyssa Palacios to go up 1-0.

Senior forward Taylor Townsend takes a shot in warmups before the Owls’ game versus UTSA. Ryan Lynch| Sports Editor
Senior forward Taylor Townsend takes a shot in warmups before the Owls’ game versus UTSA. Ryan Lynch| Sports Editor

“One of the things that’s been lacking is we have not had someone score in back to back, or consecutive games,” Head soccer coach Patrick  Baker said. “So it was good to see her get on the board and hopefully she can continue that on the weekend.”

UTEP answered back two minutes later with a goal of their own, coming from the foot of Angela Cutaia. The forward received the cross from midfielder Nicole Lindsay in the box, and sent it to the back of the net to tie the score at one.

FAU Assistant Coach Jordan Reppell talks with Head Coach Patrick Baker during the second half of Sunday’s game against UTSA. Brandon Harrington|Photo Editor
FAU Assistant Coach Jordan Reppell talks with Head Coach Patrick Baker during the second half of Sunday’s game against UTSA. Brandon Harrington|Photo Editor

Midway through the second half, Cutaia sent a long cross to forward Brittney Trought. Trought made it through FAU’s back line and netted what would prove to be the game winning goal in the 65th minute.

Despite 16 shots and eight corner kicks, the Owls were unable to score or take advantage of the opportunities they earned in their offensive half of the field.

“Usually when we’ve scored first, our MO has been that we’ve been successful. We’ve gotta tighten it up,” Baker said.

Miners goalie Alyssa Palacios had eight saves in the winning effort, while redshirt junior goalkeeper Sydney Drinkwater had one stop.

With the win, UTEP improved to 8-3 (1-0 C-USA) while the Owls fell to 6-5 (0-1 C-USA). The loss extended the Owls’ losing streak to four games.

“We’re just gonna need more from everybody, and we just don’t have that one player that[‘s] going to carry us to victory,” Baker said. “We’re going to win and lose as a team. We just need better pieces, more discipline throughout the game.”

 

Game Two

UTSA 1, FAU 0

FAU’s final game of the week came against the UTSA Roadrunners on Sunday.

UTSA’s Lauren Hodgdon scored the game’s lone goal on the 37th minute, after an FAU turnover by the back line allowed the forward to slip through and strike the ball past Sydney Drinkwater to lead 1-0.

UTSA senior forward Lauren Hodgdon (11) strikes a shot past FAU goalie Sydney Drinkwater Sunday afternoon. It was the lone goal scored in the 1-0 win for her team. Brandon Harrington|Photo Editor
UTSA senior forward Lauren Hodgdon (11) strikes a shot past FAU goalie Sydney Drinkwater Sunday afternoon. It was the lone goal scored in the 1-0 win for her team. Brandon Harrington|Photo Editor

The shot was the lone Roadrunner attempt of the half, and was one of only two Roadrunner shots in the game.

“Today was probably more lopsided than Friday, but at the end of it we’re just not scoring goals,” Baker said.

A lightning delay stopped the game in the 41st minute, leading to a 30-minute suspension of play.

The Owls tallied 25 shots during the game and had 11 corners, but could not find the net for the second game in a row.

 Roadrunner forwards Lauren Hodgdon and Sam Batley celebrate after Hodgdon scored in the 36th minute of Sunday’s game. UTSA went on to win 1-0 for their first victory of the year. Ryan Lynch|Sports Editor
Roadrunner forwards Lauren Hodgdon and Sam Batley celebrate after Hodgdon scored in the 36th minute of Sunday’s game. UTSA went on to win 1-0 for their first victory of the year. Ryan Lynch|Sports Editor

“It was either the final pass and it didn’t happen, or we would get in and it was hit straight at the keeper,” Baker said. “It was just a lot of the little things that if we knew what it was we would have fixed it.”

Roadrunner goalie Katherine Tesno had 11 saves, while Drinkwater did not record a stop.

With the loss, the Owls dropped to 6-6 (0-2 C-USA). UTSA earned their first win of the season and are now 1-8-1 on the year.

FAU will hit the road next weekend, facing North Texas and Rice in their first conference away games. They play UNT on Friday at 8 p.m.

“I think after non conference, we [think] ‘we’re capable, but we’re also incapable’ based on where we’re at,” Baker said. “We are showing we’re in this incapable place right now. But if we can continue to get better and finish some of those chances, the complexion will change.”

Ryan Lynch is the sports editor of the University Press. For tips regarding this or other articles, he can be contacted at [email protected] or on Twitter.