The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Baylor
Soccer falls, 1-0, on late Baylor goal
09.23.2011 | Soccer
Sept. 23, 2011
AUSTIN, Texas - The Texas Longhorns dropped their Big 12 opener to the Baylor Bears, 1-0, in front of the largest crowd at Mike A. Myers Stadium for a soccer game since 2008.
Despite controlling much of the possession, the Longhorns gave up a late goal to Baylor in what proved to be a defensive battle throughout all 90 minutes.
After the Longhorns were unable to successfully clear the ball from their defensive third, Baylor senior midfielder Bethany Johnston gathered the ball on the wing and dribbled into the box drawing Texas goalkeeper Alexa Gaul out of the goal mouth. Then Johnston slotted a pass perfectly on the ground to Larson who buried the shot into the open net.
Both teams had nine shots and five corners each. However, the only truly threatening chance of the game was the 87th minute build up from Baylor that ended in a game winning goal for the Bears.
Hannah Higgins and Vanessa Ibewuike of the Longhorns both provided some promising runs throughout the game, and Lexi Harris led UT with three shots. Gaul finished with five saves.
UT took on Baylor in front of the fifth largest crowd ever for a UT soccer game with 3,867 fans in attendance.
The Longhorns continue Big 12 play on Sunday, Sept. 25, when they host Iowa State at 1 p.m.
Junior GK Alexa Gaul
On the loss: We didn't come out like should have. Baylor pressed us the whole game, and they created a lot of chances and we just didn't create anything.
On what happened with the defense that allowed Baylor to score: I don't know. I think we just had a breakdown and didn't focus at that one point. They had a lot of opportunities and they happened to get one in [the goal].
On if there was an unlucky bounce that allowed Baylor to score a goal: I don't know, it just happened so quick. It was unlucky.
On Senior F Kylie Doniak not playing in the game: She wins all of our hard balls. She's great in the air - I'd say the best player on our team who is in the air. We have so many players that can fill the role; I mean obviously it's sad not having her play, but we have a lot of people that come off the bench that can take her role.
On her shot on goal toward the end of the game: I just put it on frame hoping somebody would get their head on it.
Head coach Chris Petrucelli
Opening statement: We struggled with our pressure. They were disruptive for sure. They made it difficult on us. We didn't create enough goal scoring chances. They didn't create that many either. So, it was a little unfortunate that the result ended up what it did. They worked hard, I think they played the exact game they wanted to play which was to kind of disrupt our rhythm, and the quality just wasn't good enough to keep the ball and break them down.
On starting Junior F Vanessa Ibewuike tonight: Yea, we added Vanessa into it. So we gain some pace certainly when we bring Vanessa on. We certainly lose a little bit of size with Kylie [Doniak], and we lose some senior leadership, and we lose the ability to hold the ball up front and that was an issue for us.
On what happened with the defense that allowed Baylor to score: I don't really know. I know Lexi [Harris] tried to stop the service over here and didn't. And then from there I'm not really sure what happened.
