Soccer splits weekend

By Luke Samora     9/16/13 7:00pm

The Rice University soccer team returned to Holloway Field this weekend after playing away games for two consecutive weeks. On Friday, the Owls took on Lamar University, winning 5-3 in a shootout.

After a low-scoring first half, the Owls produced their biggest outburst of scoring since 2008. Sophomore forwards Lauren Hughes and Holly Hargreaves each scored two goals, while junior forward Quinny Truong scored her first goal of the season. 

Hughes said the team was composed on Friday and took advantage of its opportunities.

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"This weekend, we were a lot more calm in front of the goal and made more opportunities," Hughes said. "[Head Coach Nicky Adams] really pushed in to us that it was our home turf and that we needed to defend it."

Adams said the team needed this scoring outburst and that she was pleased with how well the team came together in the second half.

"In the first half, we had a lot of opportunities in front of the goal, but it wasn't good enough," Adams said. "We talked about it at halftime and came out on fire and scored some really good goals."

Rice could not keep up the momentum Sunday against Louisiana State University. The Owls were shut out 1-0 by the Tigers. The game was scoreless until the 70th minute, when LSU's Alex Ramsey connected with a corner pass to score her first goal this season.

Adams said that although the Owls ultimately lost in a close game, she praised the players for their performance.

"I really thought we worked tremendously hard on the field," Adams said. "We did some really great things, but it just came down to a set piece that LSU put away. I really thought the game could have gone either way."

Adams said the mentality at practice has been focused on emphasizing repetitions and practicing the basics to achieve perfection.

"We really emphasized repetition on individual skill," Adams said. "We had been doing some really good things in the past but would let ourselves down with individual mistakes that hurt the team." 

Adams said home-field advantage helped the team. Adams said she was appreciative of the home crowd.

"It was really good being back in front of our fans with such a great crowd," Adams said. "It was like a welcome-back party."

Senior defender Hayley Williams said she was happy with the team's effort and performance and that she is looking forward to facing Oklahoma State University next weekend.

"I was really proud of the way we worked Sunday," Williams said. "We were able to complete passes and have some shots on goal that just didn't go our way, but that's the beauty of soccer; we'll have a shot next week. On Friday, we're going to work our butts off to come out strong against OSU."

The Owls play OSU next Friday at home at Holloway Field. Adams said she looks forward to the challenge the Cowboys pose to the Owls.

"Oklahoma State is a very organized, gritty team," Adams said. "I'm glad we got them here. They play top teams every weekend, and they're going to come here looking for a good result."

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