Soccer suffers first defeat of 2014 in 2-0 loss to UCF

Friday, September 12

Tampa, Fla.

3:30 p.m.

University of Texas

4-1-2

Central Florida

4-2-0

Team	1	2	Final F
Texas	0	0	0
UCF	0	2	2

Soccer suffers first defeat of 2014 in 2-0 loss to UCF

09.12.2014 | Soccer

Box Score

Standout junior goalkeeper Abby Smith makes six saves in the contest.

TAMPA, Fla. -- In a match that was broken into two distinct parts by a one-hour and 45-minute lightning delay, Texas (4-1-2) suffered its first defeat of the 2014 campaign, dropping a 2-0 decision to UCF (4-2-0) on Friday evening at Corbett Soccer Stadium in Tampa, Fla.

The Longhorns out-shot the Knights by a 10-5 total during the second half with six of those drives coming over the final 17:37 of action following the weather delay. With UT pressing hard late for an equalizer, UCF sealed the triumph at 86:15 by adding a goal into an empty net via a quick counterattack.

Junior goalkeeper Abby Smith was called upon to make six saves in the match, while Texas' defense allowed its first goal over a stretch of 299:30 dating back to the first half of the Aug. 31 match versus Nevada.

"A very odd evening of soccer," Texas head coach Angela Kelly said. "I'm proud of the way our team responded after the delay. This is the second time this season that we've had to deal with lightning issues, and tonight was especially tough considering we had 70-plus minutes gone when it hit. I thought we played inspired and the energy was really great after the break, coming up with six of our 10 second-half shots over the last 17 minutes. We just need to improve at burying our chances.

"Obviously, I'm not pleased with the result. We're going to re-organize. UCF is a high-quality opponent, and I really respect their coaching staff. We have to turn the corner now, regroup and take care of business on a quick turnaround on Sunday morning."

Both teams started the match in cautious fashion as the battle for the midfield commenced over the initial few minutes.

The first extended Longhorn jaunt into Knight territory came during the fourth minute as UT forward Sydney Shutter, making her first start of 2014, moved up the right wing and crossed a promising ball into the center of the 18. Unfortunately, no Texas shots resulted, as the pass was routinely cleared out of harm's way by the defense.

UCF mounted some pressure of its own in the seventh minute after earning the first corner of the match. The ball in from the right side by midfielder Jennifer Martin was a promising one to the near post, but it ventured out of play. Approximately a minute later, another right-wing cross from the Knights was briefly corralled and then spilled back out to her right by UT's net minder Smith. No danger resulted, however, as Texas' defense proved up to the task with a quick clearance.

In the ninth minute the Burnt Orange & White offense earned consecutive corners. On the first from the right corner at 8:23, Lachappelle delivered a great ball into the six-yard box, but UCF keeper Connie Organ leapt high over the crowd to punch it away. On the second corner, this one taken by Julia Dyche, Lindsey Meyer headed the ball back towards the left post where Lachappelle was lying in wait. Her quick volley at frame traveled high over the crossbar, however, for a goal kick.

The best chance for either team in the opening 45 minutes came during the 23rd minute as a cross from the left wing to the middle landed right at the feet of midfielder Amanda Wilkin. She fired a point-blank shot from about eight yards out that was saved by Smith, but the rebound bounced straight back out. Wilkin corralled the ball and fired another shot that was held by Smith to end the threat.

Smith proved to be the story of the opening stanza as the Plano, Texas, native made all six of her saves to send the two teams to the locker room knotted at 0-0.

UCF wasted no time in grabbing the lead out of the halftime break. A Texas foul on forward Tatiana Coleman set the Knights up in prime position just two yards outside the top of the 18. Martin stepped up to the ball and curled a perfect shot into the upper right corner at 47:24 for a 1-0 lead.

Kelsey Shimmick attempted to answer back for Texas at 51:40 by launching a shot from out on the left wing that trickled just wide of the left post.

The Longhorns came exceptionally close to tying the contest during the 63rd minute. Lachappelle made a great move to split a pair of defenders on the left wing and crossed a terrific ball to the middle. The pass located Jasmine Hart in prime real estate about 10 yards out in the middle of the 18. Unfortunately, the Haltom City, Texas, product's well-measured header traveled just inches over the crossbar, settling into the top netting.

With 17:37 left in the contest, lightning struck close to Corbett Stadium, forcing a weather delay that began at 4:57 p.m. Central.

Finally, after a one-hour and 45-minute break, the match recommenced with UCF holding its 1-0 advantage. Texas again came close to an equalizer with 11:41 left as Shimmick's long shot from 35-plus yards out scraped just over the crossbar.

With about five minutes left in the match, the Longhorn offense had one more push left. With the ball out on the right wing, Dyche and Julie Arnold each registered shots from 15 yards out that were blocked. The second rebounded out perfectly for UCF to start a quick counterattack. With Smith and the rest of the UT defense pressing high up the field seeking a late equalizer, Coleman got far enough down field to launch a drive into an open net at 86:15 and seal the Knight win.

Texas wraps up its stay at the USF Soccer Classic on Sunday, Sept. 14, with a 10:30 a.m. Central match against home-standing USF at Corbett Stadium in Tampa, Fla.