RIO GRANDE VALLEY – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Vaqueros women's soccer team played to a scoreless draw Sunday against the Utah Tech Trailblazers in a Western Athletic Conference (WAC) match at the UTRGV Soccer and Track & Field Complex.
The first half was an even battle that saw the teams keep each other from finding much offensive rhythm. The Vaqueros (3-8-3, 1-4-1 WAC) and Trailblazers (6-4-5, 1-0-4 WAC) combined to take just eight shots in the first 45 minutes of play, with Utah Tech outshooting UTRGV 5-3. UTRGV junior defender
Sydney Hammond was the spark trying to get the offense going, taking all three first-half shots for the Vaqueros and recording the only shot on goal of the opening half.
Each team played respectable defense in a fairly physical first half. Utah Tech turned up its offensive attack in the final 15 minutes of the frame, putting some pressure on the Vaqueros with consistent possession in its offensive third, but UTRGV's defense held strong.
In the 50
th minute, junior defender
Nadia Colon used her speed and ball control to create a good chance for UTRGV. Colon intercepted a pass and raced back across the center line, beating a defender with her swiftness to get into the box. She sent a cross to a double-marked Hammond, and despite good effort, Hammond couldn't get a clean shot off before the Utah Tech keeper corralled the loose ball.
The Trailblazers created a good chance in the 58
th minute, but freshman goalkeeper
Emilia Compian made the stop on the slow-rolling shot. Utah Tech kept the pressure on as time ticked away, getting a flurry of three consecutive corners with 15 minutes left to play. But even with the consistent possession in UTU's offensive third, the Vaqueros defense kept zeros on the board and took the momentum created with stops to their own offensive side of the pitch.
Freshman midfielder
Linnea Eld put a shot on goal in the 77
th minute, taking the ball in traffic and sending a sharp shot to the net, but Utah Tech goalkeeper
Bryanna Hofheins punched the ball away.
Colon, Hammond and freshman midfielder
Olivia Smith were among the Vaqueros to lead an admirable effort as UTRGV tried for the go-ahead goal. In the 88
th minute, Compian made an incredible quick-reaction save, snagging a turnaround shot out of the air as she dove to her right to maintain the draw.
Utah Tech outshot the Vaqueros 11-6 in the match, but UTRGV put two shots on goal while the Trailblazers only had one. Compian finished with one save and Hofheins made two.
UTRGV's next match is Thursday at 9 p.m. at Grand Canyon.
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