The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
TCU
Early aggressive play leads Soccer to 3-0 victory over TCU
08.10.2011 | Soccer
Aug. 10, 2011
AUSTIN, Texas — Scoring three goals in the first half, the Texas Longhorns raced to an early lead and then closed out the match to defeat TCU, 3-0, in exhibition play on Wednesday night at Mike A. Myers Stadium.
The Longhorns set the tone early in the scrimmage. Only 30 seconds into the match, senior forward Kylie Doniak took a shot that was barely tipped over the crossbar by the diving TCU keeper.
The Longhorns continued their aggressiveness throughout the game. In the 16th minute, Taylor Knaack, a senior transfer from Notre Dame, drilled a shot that was tipped by the TCU keeper. The deflection was recovered by sophomore midfielder Lexi Harris, who put the ball in the back of the net for the Longhorns first goal of the night.
Only three minutes after Harris' goal, the Longhorns tacked on another. Doniak placed the ball perfectly into the box from of a corner kick, and senior defender Lucy Keith finished with a solid header to put the Longhorns up 2-0.
In the 24th minute, UT scored the third and final goal of the game. Harris crossed over the defender and struck a left-footed shot to the near post to record her second goal of the game and put the Longhorns comfortably out front 3-0.
The Longhorns defense was stellar throughout the game, allowing only four TCU shots and recording one save in the shutout victory.
UT will play another scrimmage at Florida State on Aug. 14, before opening up regular season play in a home game against Loyola Marymount on Friday, Aug. 19.
TEXAS QUOTES
Head Coach Chris Petrucelli
On the effort he saw from the team: At times we played well. We started the game really well. We had an early chance to set the tone for the game, and we got up on them in the first half. I thought we let off on the gas a little bit at the end of the first half, beginning of the second half, but I thought we finished well. Overall, I am pleased, but we can do better.
On playing Florida State this weekend: It's a great test. They are a great team. They possess the ball better than any other team in the country, so it's going to be a challenge for us. We are going to be chasing the ball around a lot. We are going to have to be good when we have the ball, because we are probably not going to have it that much. I think what you saw tonight was that we can be effective in playing fast, and getting the ball forward. We are looking forward to it, and it will be fun.
Sophomore midfielder Lexi Harris
On her individual performance: I kjust looked to my teammates helping me out a lot, running off the ball and we have worked on playing in the midfield, and running quick right out. So, just making those runs out wide is what we have been working on in practice.
On starting off the season strong: Last season didn't go as we had planned. Obviously we had a couple upsets that we put us down, but we have been working hard all spring, training in the weight room with Donnie. We've just really built a mentality that is mentally strong and not willing to give up. This win tonight means a lot.
Senior forward Taylor Knaack
On her first Texas appearance: It felt awesome. We have been working so hard as a team. I got here at the beginning of the summer training, and so its been super exciting to put the jersey on and play with the girls and I think we did really well tonight.
On what she expected from the team: We have had a really strong preseason. We have worked really hard together. We've pushed each other, and we were all committed during the summer too. So we have come together and worked really hard to be fit, and it is showing on the field.
