The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Stephen F. Austin
No. 4 Soccer downs SFA, 4-0
09.23.2007 | Soccer
AUSTIN, Texas -- The fourth-ranked Texas soccer team extended its unbeaten streak to four games with a 4-0 shutout over visiting Stephen F. Austin on Sunday, Sept. 23 at Mike A. Myers Stadium. Houston native and Texas freshman Niki Arlitt posted a multi-goal game for the second consecutive match, scoring two goals against the Ladyjack defense.
The Longhorns (6-1-1), under ninth-year head coach Chris Petrucelli, snapped SFA's (3-3-1) two-game winning streak and handed the Ladyjacks their second blank of the season.
UT jumped on the scoreboard 11 minutes, 29 seconds into the match, as Arlitt found the back of the net for the third consecutive match. The play started with an SFA foul of Texas rookie Kendall Campise (Dallas, Texas) on the other side of the midfield line. Junior defender Jill Gilbeau (San Diego, Calif.) launched the free ball into the six-yard box where an SFA defender cleared it away from the goal but directly to Arlitt. The first-year Longhorn put the rebound over the head of Ladyjacks' sophomore goalkeeper Crystin Pactor for the opening score of the match.
Five minutes later, Arlitt found the back of the net again off a cross from NSCAA All-American senior forward Kelsey Carpenter. Fellow All-American and Longhorns junior defender Kasey Moore (Mission Viejo, Calif.) started the scoring drive as she kicked a cleared ball by the SFA defense to a streaking Carpenter close to the sideline. Carpenter dribbled into the 18-yard box before finding Arlitt right in front of the goal.
With three seconds remaining in the first period, Moore extended the Texas lead to 3-0 with her second header goal and fifth overall score of the season.
Junior midfielder Courtney Gaines (Sugar Land, Texas) netted the only goal of the second half and her first as a Longhorn at 62:47. Arlitt crossed the ball inside the box which freshman Alisha Ortiz (Highland Village, Texas) deflected to Gaines, who was standing 10 yards out for the score.
The Texas defense held its third opponent in four matches scoreless. UT goalkeeper Dianna Pfenninger (Sugar Land, Texas) anchored the defense, saving three SFA shots on goal and allowed zero goals in 77:57 minutes of action for her fifth win of the season. Senior netminder Stephanie Connors (Carrollton, Texas) registered two saves in the final 12:03 of the shutout.
Pactor minded the net for SFA, accumulating nine saves and allowing four goals.
UT out-shot SFA 27-7 and held the advantage in corner kicks 5-2. SFA sophomores Kelli Wilson and Brenna Crockett led the Ladyjacks in shots taken with two each.
Texas hosts its final non-conference opponent in Wright State on Friday, Sept. 28 at 7 p.m. CT at Myers Stadium before beginning Big 12 action with a Sunday (Sept. 30) match against Texas Tech at 7 p.m. CT.
POSTGAME QUOTES
HEAD COACH Chris Petrucelli
On Arlitt's scoring efforts: (Niki Arlitt's) goals tonight were great. I thought her first goal was amazing. She's just showed us a flash of what she's capable of doing.
On execution of game plan: We came out, played well and scored early. Those early goals make a difference in these types of games. We can relax and play comfortably with a lead most of the game.
On outscoring opponents since the loss to Arizona: It's nice to have the 16 but it's the two I don't like. We've been able to score goals but we gave up a couple that hurt some. Part of it is having Niki back in the lineup. She was out for a while and now that she's back, she's been able to score goals.
FRESHMAN FORWARD Niki Arlitt
On scoring in her fourth consecutive match: Being able to score goals and help the team win is great. When I'm out there playing, I'm just trying to put in some great passes from my teammates. I'm just glad I could help my team get a win tonight.
On playing in front of home crowd: It's great to play at home because of the fan support. They get into the game and it helps us a lot especially with tougher opponents.
NOTES: Arlitt leads all scorers on the 2007 roster with 16 points this season and seven goals. Arlitt joins Carpenter with two multi-goal matches this year. Carpenter is second in scoring with 12 points and five goals. The Longhorns offense sparked after the 2-1 loss at Arizona, as UT has outscored its opponents 16-2 in the last three matches.
