Texas Women Open Season with a Rusty Win

The University of Texas women’s soccer team left money on the table in their season opening match against the University of Houston.  They won the match, 1-to-nil, but it could have been a blow-out win. 

Yes, the Texas women were rusty.  They pummeled Houston with 24 shots, eight on-target.  They were also got called for ten offsides violations. 

Much credit should be given to Cougar goaltender Olivia Dietrich.  Many of her stops were outstanding, and displayed great athleticism. 

The match’s only goal came in the 11th minute of play.  Trinity Byars collected a pass and fed graduate transfer Madison Haugen.  Haugen launched a pass over the head of three Cougar defenders to catch Lexi Missimo in stride, who buried the ball into the bottom-left corner of the net. 

Byars and Missimo each generated three shots-on-target. 

“I would’ve loved to have been able to put a few more into the back of the net, but the most important thing is that we won,” said Texas head coach Angela Kelly.  “We had the privilege of being the first competition for The University of Texas in the SEC and the first competition on the campus for The University of Texas. It’ll go down in the record books as the first for the Longhorns.” 

Texas goalkeeper Mia Justus earned the clean sheet madding three saves.