Texas, We May Have a Problem

The University of Texas Longhorns played to a 0-0 draw against the University of Iowa Hawkeyes in an NCAA women’s soccer match.  But that’s not the real story. 

The real story is Texas took 19 total shots, six on-target, for 32% accuracy.  Iowa took eight total shots, four on-target, for 50% accuracy.  Neither team found the back of the net. 

Are Texas players not taking the time to set-up the shot?  Are they taking the shot simply because they open?  Are they ignoring opportunities to passing-off the ball to a teammate in better position?  Or is Texas head coach Angela Kelly taking the “spray and pray” approach to offense?    

Not much would be said of the matter if this were simply one match, but it’s not. 

In its first four match of the young season the Longhorns have out-shot their opponents 96 to 33 in total shots and 47 to 19 in shots on-target.  That translates to an accuracy of 34% for Texas and 40% for their opponents. 

In those same four matches, Texas has converted on 11 of the 47 shots on-target.  Their opponents have converted on three of 19 shots on-target.  That translate to a conversion rate of 23% for Texas and 16% for their opponents. 

This would not catch attention, but two of those matches were routs in which Texas scored ten goals, something highly unusual in high-level collegiate soccer.  Backing out the routs, Texas’ accuracy holds at 33% but the conversions fall to 7%. 

It is too early to raise a red flag, but it’s not too early to shine light on the potential issue.