The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Oklahoma
Higgins scores a pair to lift Soccer over Oklahoma, 2-0
10.07.2011 | Soccer
Oct. 7, 2011
AUSTIN, Texas -- Hannah Higgins scored two goals on Friday night at a windy Mike A. Myers Stadium to propel the Texas Soccer team to a 2-0 victory against the Oklahoma Sooners. With the victory, the Longhorns improve to 9-4 on the season and 3-2 in Big 12 Conference play.
After a scoreless 20 minutes, Texas broke the scoring seal to take a 1-0 lead. Vanessa Ibewuike weaved down the right flank and worked back into the corner of the penalty box before dumping a pass into the mercurial Higgins. Higgins gathered the ball from six yards out and pushed it to the right of the Sooners' netminder into the back of the net.
UT extended its lead 26 minutes into the second half of play, with a powerful long-distance shot from Higgins, which was place perfectly beyond the reach of Oklahoma goalkeeper Kelsey Devonshire into the bottom corner. The goal gave Texas a 2-0 cushion and gave Higgins her first-ever multi-goal game.
The Longhorns continued to dominate the second half, outshooting the Sooners 10-2 the rest of the way. UT took 14 shots to OU's 10 in the match.
Alexa Gaul made four saves and recorded her 17th career shutout, moving her into second place all-time at Texas.
UT returns to action on Sunday when the Longhorns host the San Diego State Aztecs in a 1 p.m. contest at Mike A. Myers Stadium.
TEXAS QUOTES
Head coach Chris Petrucelli
On the windy conditions: It was a huge factor, it really was. It was hard to get out of your end. It was hard to anticipate where the ball was going to come down. If you look at the game, the first half OU had more in play, and they had the wind. The second half, we had the wind and we had more in play.
On Hannah Higgins: She was great, and she's been great all year. It's good to see her get the goals. For me, it's not about the goals, but really just how hard she plays. She's been a dangerous player all year long, so it's good to see her get a couple.
Junior F Hannah Higgins
On her two goals: The first goal, we've been working all week on getting the cross off the end line, and Vanessa (Ibewuike) found me. I was able to get my leg out there and poke it into the back of the net. The second goal, same thing -- I've been working a lot this week with Chris (Petrucelli) on if I can't get the end-line, cutting back inside. Sarah (Barnes) has been working with me to get my hips squared. I composed myself and took the shot.
On setting up the second goal: I came in, and thought about shooting it, but my hips weren't quite where they needed to be. I didn't feel pressure coming from behind, and with one more touch, I was able to get my hips around and that allows me to get the ball on frame. I hit it back across to the left post.
Junior GK Alexa Gaul
On the team's effort: I think we played really well. WE came out with a lot of energy. The first half, the first 30 minutes, it was a little hard, because the wind was so strong. But we finally got the ball down, and Hannah (Higgins) scored that goal, and it was awesome.
On the difference in the second half: We talked about bringing the ball down, because in the second half we were going with the wind. We just wanted to get the ball wide, attack the end-line and finish.
