HUNTSVILLE, Texas – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Vaqueros women's soccer team fell on the road against the Sam Houston (SHSU) Bearkats Thursday, 4-2, at Pritchett Field.
Junior
Isabella Burtini shined for the Vaqueros, notching her second brace of the season. She has now scored five goals through the first six matches of the season, already surpassing her season total of three in 2025.
Early in the 11
th minute, Burtini scored on a great opportunity, assisted by sophomore
Amy Romero. Burtini found the ball on the left wing outside the box and launched a rocket that struck the back of the top right netting to put UTRGV ahead 1-0.
The Vaqueros built momentum in the first half by creating space with short passes, ultimately outshooting the Bearkats 7-4 in the first half.
In the 49
th minute
Lily Sargent-Burns scored to make it 1-1, right outside the box that soared over a diving sophomore
Mariana Amezcua. The Bearkats played fast and physical to start the second half, resulting in a quick goal to tie the match.
Freshman
Melany Gallegos recorded her second yellow card of the season in the 54
th minute.
The Vaqueros responded with a fierce offensive attack that saw Romero attempt a cross in the box from the left wing that struck the hand of a Bearkat, resulting in a penalty kick chance for Burtini. Burtini secured her fifth goal of the season with a shot that connected in the left part of the net, to make it a 2-1 lead.
The Bearkats'
Chelsea Cross notched a yellow card in the 64
th minute.
Sam Houston rallied back with a goal of their own by
Gabrielle Gipson from outside the box to tie the match 2-2 in the 68
th minute.
The Bearkats clinched the game winning goal in the 74
th minute by
Sara Benton from an assist by
Kelsey Villatoro.
Sam Houston tacked on in the 88
th minute by
Siera Herbert, with a chip shot to seal the victory.
The shootout produced 27 total shots, Sam Houston outshot UTRGV 14-13 with a 9-6 shot on goal advantage. The Bearkats also had six corners to the Vaqueros two.
The Vaqueros return home to the UTRGV Soccer and Track & Field Complex for a Thursday night match against the University of Texas at El Paso, which is scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m.
All matches held at the UTRGV Soccer and Track & Field Complex will be free and open to the public. Gates open at 5:30 p.m.
Fans can tune in domestically on
ESPN+ or internationally through
Southland International or follow along through
live stats.
UTRGV Athletics has a clear bag policy for spectators attending all athletic events hosted by UTRGV. You can get all the details
here.
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