The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Houston
Keith and Doniak lead No. 25 Soccer past Houston, 2-0
08.28.2009 | Soccer
Aug. 28, 2009
AUSTIN, Texas -- The No. 25 University of Texas soccer team used two second half goals from sophomores Lucy Keith and Kylie Doniak to pick up its first win of the 2009 season over Houston Friday night at Mike A. Myers Field. The Longhorns move to 1-1-0 on the season and to 4-1-0 in the all-time series over the Cougars.
Keith struck first for the Horns in the 57th minute. Junior Kirsten Birkhold, who was credited with the assist, got the play started when she sent a long cross to the center of the box from the left side. UH keeper Lauren Frazier came out to challenge Keith who was heading for the ball and missed, leaving the goal wide open. The sophomore midfielder capitalized on the opportunity to give UT the 1-0 lead.
Texas continued its offensive attack firing four shots on goal over the next 15 minutes before Doniak connected for her first goal of the year. Freshman Leah Fortune had taken a shot that was deflected off the goalkeeper back to her before she played the ball across the box to Doniak who fired the ball past Frazier for the score.
The Longhorns outshot the Cougars 15-3, including an 11-1 advantage in the second half. Houston's three shots on goal are the fewest by a UT opponent since the 2008 season opener against Samford (Aug. 22).
UT takes its first road trip of the year next weekend as they travel to Berkeley, Calif., for the 15th annual Cal Invite where they will face Saint Mary's (Sept. 4) and No. 16 California.
POST MATCH QUOTES
TEXAS
Sophomore forward Amanda Lisberger
On the new formation: In the first half we had a 4-3-3 formation. But,they had three players outside and we weren't using our width very well. But then we switched to a 4-4-2, and we were suddenly able to open up the field a little bit. I feel that that creation of more space gave us room to score.
On the difference between this game and the last: We took a lot more shots this game than our last two games, and that sort of improvement made a great difference, as the score points out. Also, I definitely think our defense was also a lot stronger which helped reinforce us from the back.
On the team's chemistry: We are definitely coming together as team more. The chemistry is really growing even though we are young team. I think with every game our youth as a team becomes less of a factor.
Sophomore midfielder Lucy Keith
On her goal: The ball was served perfectly, I kept complete eye contact, I got a foot on it, and the rest just worked out.
On her contribution to the offense: Chris [Petrucelli] has been talking to us a lot more about getting more confident on offense, and part of the way to do that is simply to keep the ball on the offensive half. As a result of doing that, we were able to get more shots on the goal, and ultimately, it worked out in our favor.
Head Coach Chris Petrucelli
On the midfield: The effort from the midfield was really good. One of hopes all week was to get more out of that line-up and we got two goals from them which is pretty nice.
On the game overall: We struggled a little bit in the first half, but in the second half we came out with a different sort of intensity that we had been lacking before, and I really think that made a difference.
