The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Texas Tech
No. 6 Soccer blanks Texas Tech, 1-0
09.30.2007 | Soccer
AUSTIN, Texas -- Sixth-ranked Texas needed one goal from senior midfielder Caitlin Kennedy to defeat visiting Texas Tech, 1-0, in UT's Big 12 home opener on Sunday, Sept. 30 at Mike A. Myers Stadium.
Texas (8-1-1, 1-0-0 Big 12 Conference) completed its six-game homestand with an undefeated record of 5-0-1 at home and registered a win in the first Big 12 match of season under ninth-year head coach Chris Petrucelli. Texas Tech stands drops to 3-4-1 overall and evens its conference record at 1-1-0.
The only score of the game for either team came in the second half from Kennedy (Euless, Texas) who was positioned in the center of the six-yard box. Kennedy put her first goal of the season and 14th career goal, behind TTU goalkeeper Tina Rincon, 62 minutes, 18 seconds into the match. Houston native and Texas freshman Niki Arlitt fed Kennedy for the score and tallied her fourth assist of the year.
With the assist, Arlitt tallied a point in her sixth consecutive match and has either scored a goal or recorded an assist in every contest she has played (seven matches). She has seven of her team-leading eight goals in that stretch, and all four assists on the season in the six-match span.
Texas took 13 of its overall 22 shots in the opening period, and put three total shots on goal. The Red Raiders held the advantage in corner kicks, 5-3.
The Longhorns were whistled for 11 fouls against 14 by the Red Raiders.
The Longhorns' defense picked up their fifth shutout of the season and fourth in the last six games. Through 10 matches this year, UT boasts a 0.72 goals-against average and .811 save percentage.
Texas Tech came close to scoring in the 72nd minute of the game. Red Raiders' freshman defender Halie Cdebaca shot from 25 yards out but UT junior goalkeeper Dianna Pfenninger deflected the ball out of bounds. On the ensuing cornerkick, sophomore defender Megan Hoffert placed the ball inside the box but sophomore midfielder Maegan Wilber headed the ball high.
The Longhorns head to Ames, Iowa, for their first road conference game of the season. UT takes on Iowa State on Friday, Oct. 5 at 7 p.m. CT.
POSTGAME QUOTES
UT HEAD COACH Chris Petrucelli
On the importance of winning Big 12 games: Playing any game in the Big 12 is a tough game. We know that we're going to have our hands full. [In winning], it's important for us to get three points in conference play. You have to win at home first of all and you have to bring a lot of energy in conference play which showed tonight.
On having Caitlin Kennedy in the lineup: She does a couple of things for us. She's a goal-scoring threat which she showed to us tonight. She wins balls in the air and she's a big playmaker for us. She's got the whole package. She does a number of things for us [to put us in a position to win].
On Friday's road match at Iowa State after ending six-game homestand: We'd prefer to play all of them at home but you have to play on the road at some point. We played on the road already and we've had some success. I feel like we should be fine. The big thing for us is to focus on playing the game then it doesn't matter where we play. We still are 11-on-11, and there's still a soccer ball and two goals. Everything around shouldn't matter.
We are comfortable at home. We love playing in front of our fans; we feel like we get a lift [from the UT fans] here. It's a comfortable environment which certainly helps us.
FRESHMAN FORWARD Niki Arlitt
On the physical aspect and intensity of the first Big 12 match of her career: It was a completely different level of play. It was so much different than club, so much different than preseason; it was tougher but I made it.
On six-match point-scoring streak: It's an amazing streak but I honestly don't think about that. I think about what plays are on and how I can get in behind [the opponents' defense] and try to help my team win. I don't really think about points and scoring, I just get out there and play.
U.S. NATIONAL TEAM AND JUNIOR FORWARD Stephanie Logterman
On Texas Tech's playing style: They were one of the most physical teams we've played all season. Every 50-50 ball you have to go in harder or they are going to win it. You have to give so much more, especially in the goalkeeper box. You know if you don't go hard [in that area], the ball's going to go in the net and you're really in trouble. We did awesome. Every one went in hard and we just brought the intensity and physical aspect that we needed.
On the height advantage of Texas Tech: We were definitely a lot shorter than them but that's the beautiful thing about soccer. Effort and technical ability will get you far in this game which definitely showed tonight. We fought for every 50-50 ball and despite [Texas Tech's] height advantage we still won those balls. We were able to play with more poise which worked for us.
