RIO GRANDE VALLEY — The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Vaqueros women's soccer team fell 3-1 to the Stephen F. Austin (SFA) Ladyjacks in a Southland Conference (SLC) match Thursday, at the UTRGV Soccer and Track & Field Complex.
The Vaqueros (4-10-1, 0-6-1 SLC) opened the scoring when junior Rubi Ortiz intercepted a pass from the SFA defense and pushed up the field before finding junior Isabella Burtini, who fired a right-footed shot into the right side of the net. Ortiz recorded her second career assist on the play.
Burtini, who leads the Vaqueros with seven goals and 17 points this season, moved into fifth place in program history for career goals (10) and single-season points (17). She also ranks tied for sixth in program history with 24 career points.
The Ladyjacks (5-12, 2-6 SLC) tied the match in the 66th minute when Keira Truofreh lobbed a cross that found Alyce Chappelle in the box and scored.
Moments later in the 71st minute, the Ladyjacks got the lead on a cross attempt that found Kensley Smith, where she loaded back and took a shot with her right foot that found the bottom right of the net to make it 2-1. Chappelle was credited the assist to Smith.
SFA earned yellow card in the 74th minute by Cassidy Hoang.
The Vaqueros continued to apply offensive pressure late in the second half, creating several scoring opportunities. In the 81st minute, freshman Emily Segovia fired a shot toward the top center of the net, but SFA goalkeeper Brandie Musser made the save. Seconds later, junior Sienna Gillespie sent a shot just off target on the left side.
UTRGV earned another scoring opportunity in the 83rd minute following a yellow card issued to SFA's Sydney Williams. Senior Linnea Eld took the ensuing free kick but sent her shot off target.
Chappele extended the Ladyjacks lead 3-1 on a penalty kick in the 86th minute.
UTRGV began the match with aggression as they control the ball with class and took three shots. In the 5th minute, junior Sienna Church crossed a chance into the box and Gillespie headed the ball off the top of the crossbar.
UTRGV outshot SFA 19-10 and 7-6 shots on goal. The Vaqueros also tallied four corners versus two by the Ladyjacks.
The Vaqueros hit the road Oct. 25, to face the University of Incarnate Word at the Gayle & Tom Benson Stadium Sunday, at 1 p.m.
Fans can follow along through live stats.
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