The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Missouri
Birkhold lifts Soccer past Missouri, 1-0
10.15.2010 | Soccer
Oct. 15, 2010
COLUMBIA, Mo. -- The University of Texas Soccer team used a lone goal from senior Kirsten Birkhold in the 56th minute to pick up a 1-0 win on the road at Missouri, Friday night. Texas moves to 9-3-3 overall and 2-2-2 in Big 12 play while the Tigers fall to 5-7-2 and 3-3-0 in league action.
Birkhold got the Longhorns on the board when she flicked in a long cross to the upper right corner of the net. Freshman Nina Frausing Pedersen got the play started when she took a free kick on the Longhorns side of the halfway line. Frausing sent the kick to the penalty box where junior Kylie Doniak one-touched it over to Birkhold who had sealed off her defender and was able to send it to the back of the net for her second goal of the season.
Texas controlled possession for the majority of the game, outshooting the Tigers 11-4, including a 6-1 advantage in the first half. Sophomore Alexa Gaul and the UT defense posted its third-straight shutout and seventh of the year. Gaul's four shutouts in league action are the most in the Big 12 while her seven overall are tied for first.
The Longhorns close out their weekend road trip with a match at Iowa State on Sunday, Oct. 17 at 1 p.m. Central.
POST MATCH QUOTES
Head Coach Chris Petrucelli
On the game overall: I think especially in the first half we were able to keep possession of the ball, especially going forward and that gave us some confidence. Then once we got the lead, that was obviously a huge factor and once we got that, we were able to keep it and get the win.
On the defense and how they've stepped up the last three games with three straight shutouts: They were great and certainly adding Nina [Frausing Pederson] in helps us. She settles us down, she does a really good job offensively and starting our attack but we've been playing well recently without her in the back and I think she adds more. We're really excited that were defending so well.
