The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Nebraska
No. 2 Soccer extends unbeaten streak with 2-1 win over Nebraska
10.07.2007 | Soccer
AUSTIN, Texas -- It took an extra 42 seconds but the Longhorns scored the game-winning goal, as second-ranked Texas extended its unbeaten streak to eight matches with a 2-1 overtime win against visiting Nebraska on Sunday, Oct. 7.
Junior Courtney Gaines (Sugar Land, Texas) netted the golden goal, scoring in back-to-back games for the first time this season. The transfer from Houston scored less than a minute into the first overtime period. Gaines, who also scored in the 1-1 tie at Iowa State on Friday (Oct. 5), knocked the ball in after 2007 team-scoring leader and Texas freshman Niki Arlitt (Houston, Texas) fired a ball that was blocked by Cornhuskers' freshman goalkeeper Jessica Mills. Gaines collected the rebound, in the midst of a huddle in front of the goal, for her third score of the season.
With the victory, head coach Chris Petrucelli's Longhorns (9-1-2, 2-0-1 Big 12 Conference) hold a one-win edge over Nebraska (4-5-3, 1-3-0) in the all-time series, which now stands at 9-8.
Freshman Alisha Ortiz (Highlands Village, Texas) sparked the offense shortly before halftime. The first-year Longhorn tallied her first career goal, 36 minutes, 37 seconds into the match. Ortiz's score originated with U.S. national team participant and Texas junior defender Stephanie Logterman (Austin, Texas). Logterman found senior tri-captain Greta Carter (Arlington, Texas) in the middle of the field just over the center line. Carter connected with Ortiz, who touched the ball just 12 yards out of the goalkeeper nets, for the first Texas score of the match.
After the half, Nebraska tied the match at 1-1 on a goal from sophomore forward Shay Powell. She chipped a pass from sophomore forward Brittney Lanier at 54:23.
The two teams continued trading shots and saves for the remaining 35:37 of the match until Gaines' game-winner.
NU freshman and Houston native Mills played all 90:42 in between the posts and tallied seven saves against two goals.
UT goalkeeper Dianna Pfenninger (Sugar Land, Texas) was charged with one goal and two saves in playing the entire match.
The Longhorns held the advantage in shots (17-6) and corner kicks (4-2).
Nebraska was whistled for almost twice as many fouls, leading UT 14-6.
Texas travels to College Station for the State Farm Lone Star Showdown against No. 6 Texas A&M on Friday, Oct. 12 at 7:30 p.m. (CT). UT completes the away weekend in Waco at Baylor on Sunday, Oct. 14. The match start time is 7 p.m. (CT).
POSTGAME QUOTES
HEAD COACH Chris Petrucelli
On UT's scoring effort: Our touch let us down a couple of times. Nebraska is a physical and fast team which made it hard to play. Part of it was our touch and part of it was them making it hard to play.
On the UT backline staying near the Texas goal instead of crossing the center line: First, Nebraska came into the game with the idea of not letting [UT defenders] come forward. Second, it's so hot and after running on Friday, [UTs] just didn't have anything left at halftime. The heat was part of that and fatigue played a factor in the match.
On increasing the intensity on offense: We had a little break at one point for an injury where I got into [Texas] a little bit. We just weren't competing hard enough. I felt towards the end of the game and into overtime, we stepped up our level.
On how important winning is in the team standings: You have to do your best to get three points. We wanted to go into the Texas A&M game [on Friday, Oct. 12] with a little momentum. [The matches against Iowa State and Nebraska] show you how hard it is to play in this conference. All the games are tight, all of them are difficult, and this weekend showed that.
On Gaines' contribution in the last two matches: She's talented and has the ability to win. We've been trying to get her forward more so she can help us with some goals. We talked about getting goals out of our midfield and she stepped up. She does whatever you need and ask her to do... that's Courtney. Whatever you need she comes up with.
On freshman Alisha Ortiz's first career goal: It was sweet. It's been hard for her; she's fought herself a lot. It's the first game she didn't start. It would have been easy for her to feel sorry for herself but when she came off the bench in the first half, she provided a spark for us. She came with a sense of urgency that we haven't seen from her before, and it was really nice to see her score a goal.
JUNIOR MIDFIELDER Courtney Gaines
On stepping up the offensive attack: [Petrucelli] said keep pressuring them, keep going at them. We knew we could do it we just needed to keep working at them.
On playing in the hot Texas weather: It's hot but it shouldn't make a difference. We play and practice in this weather, so it shouldn't affect us to much. It's just one part of playing soccer.
