The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
UCLA
No. 7 Soccer upsets No. 2 UCLA, 2-1
09.02.2007 | Soccer
HOUSTON -- The No. 7 Texas soccer team scored its biggest upset in school history as the Longhorns defeated No. 2 UCLA, 2-1, on Sunday night at Robertson Stadium on the campus of the University of Houston.
National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)/adidas All-American Kasey Moore (Mission Viejo, Calif.) scored her second goal in as many games. Freshman Brooke Lee (Mesquite, Texas) put in the game-winning goal in just her second collegiate contest.
"There certainly was excitement among the team after the win," said UT head coach Chris Petrucelli. "We worked really hard for the win and it was good to see them get rewarded."
"In the first half, UCLA was great," he continued. "We couldn't get the ball from [the Bruins]. We started getting more possession in the second half which led to our goals. We also competed harder in the second half which made the difference."
Texas moves to 2-0-0 on the year while UCLA moves to 0-1-0 on the year in the Bruins' only recorded match in 2007. UCLA was scheduled to play Houston on Friday, Aug. 31, but the match was cancelled in the 48th minute.
Moore's goal is her second in as many games as she scored in UT's season-opening 3-1 win over TCU on Friday, Aug. 31.
"Kasey can play anywhere on the field," said Petrucelli. "She proves that every time she's out there. She strikes the ball so well and is great in the back."
The upset marks the fifth time in the last two seasons Texas has defeated a team with a higher coaches' poll rating. It is the third time in school history Texas has defeated a team ranked in the top five.
After heading into halftime down 1-0, the Longhorns quickly jumped on the board in the 53rd minute. UCLA goalkeeper Valerie Henderson was given a yellow card for tripping freshman Alisha Ortiz inside the box. Moore took the ensuing penalty kick which soared past Henderson to equalize the match.
In the 60th minute, Lee headed the game-winner in off a corner kick after bouncing around inside the box.
"Brooke really came alive in this game," said Petrucelli. "It's what we've seen in practice from her. She's dangerous, fast and works so hard. We saw her come alive in the second half."
Despite being held scoreless for 52 minutes and 56 seconds, the UT offense made good use of its opportunities, placing four of its six shots on goal. NSCAA All-American and senior forward Kelsey Carpenter (Allen, Texas) took a UT game-high two shots including one off an Anderson touch in the 29th minute.
The Texas defense was tested as UCLA took nine shots including five on goal. UT goalkeeper Dianna Pfenninger (Sugar Land, Texas) registered four saves and allowed one goal in regulation.
"The big thing was how we limited the amount of [UCLA] goal-scoring chances," said Petrucelli. "Give the credit to the back line which was solid. UCLA had two really good chances and Pfenninger saved them both."
UCLA scored its only goal of the game off a corner kick by Lauren Wilmoth. Bruins' forward Lauren Cheney headed in the ball from Wilmoth, just over Pfenninger's outstretched fingertips.
The Longhorns travel to Arizona State on Friday, Sept. 7 for a 7 p.m. CT start, followed by a match at Arizona on Sunday, Sept. 9 at 7 p.m. CT.
