The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
1-1-0
North Carolina
3-0-0
Soccer drops a 2-0 decision to No. 5 North Carolina
08.28.2015 | Soccer
Longhorns will return to action at home on Sunday at 1 p.m. CT against No. 18 Ohio State
AUSTIN, Texas – On Friday night in front of 2,195 fans at Mike A. Myers Stadium, two goals over a two-minute span straight out of the locker room break proved enough to lead No. 5 North Carolina (3-0-0) to a 2-0 victory over Texas (1-1-0).
The Tarheels out-shot the Longhorns by a 23-7 count, while UT led in corner kicks, 4-3. Senior goalkeeper Abby Smith was required to make seven saves between the pipes for the Burnt Orange & White.
"Credit to North Carolina," Texas head coach Angela Kelly said. "They've obviously been a national power for thirty-plus years now. I thought we were well organized in the first half. We couldn't afford to make any mistakes that they were going to capitalize on, and I think in the first five minutes (of the second half) that's what happened. It took a little bit of the wind out of our sails, and then we struggled to get any piece of the ball after that. I'm just really proud of our fight. It's two weeks into the season. There are a lot of things we can tighten up and certainly some growing we're going to do. This type of game challenges us and exposes us in ways that are going to prepare us for the conference."
Neither squad could secure an early foothold in the match as the two teams battled throughout the midfield and made several forays into the offensive third over the opening 10 minutes without any shots.
The first chance went UNC's way in the 11th minute as a cross from the left wing located forward Summer Green racing toward the eight-yard box. The chance went begging, however, as the ball just eluded her leap, venturing over the end line for a harmless goal kick.
At the other end of the pitch, Texas' offense got something going during the 12th minute as a long ball played over the top found redshirt freshman Mikayla Flores. The La Verne, Calif., native pulled the ball back towards the middle into some space, but before she could seriously threaten the UNC goal, a UT foul behind the play killed the chance.
The Tarheels turned up the offensive pressure soon after as a drive from midfielder Joanna Boyles and a pair of shots by Green traveled high and wide right, respectively.
Texas' first corner of the match at 19:26 swung the momentum in favor of the home team. Junior midfielder Julia Dyche delivered a perfect feed from the right corner to the back post towards senior defender Brinkley Field. Both Field and UNC goalkeeper Lindsey Harris leapt for the ball with the net minder managing a slight touch before falling to the ground. The ball was cleared out of danger by the 'Heels before UT could manage a shot.
Not long after that chance, Texas senior midfielder Chantale Campbell and senior forward Kelsey Shimmick had lengthy tries blocked by the UNC defense at 22:50 and 24:19.
North Carolina nearly broke in front at 27:58 as a run to the right end line and a cross into the six-yard-box located the feet of Alex Kimball. Her quick shot was smothered, however, on a dive by Smith, and the senior net minder refused to provide a rebound opportunity.
The Horns earned a quick two-on-two chance during the 30th minute as Shimmick moved to the middle into some space. Unfortunately, the Grapevine, Texas, native's eventual shot traveled well high of frame and out of play.
With neither team on the scoreboard after 45 minutes, UNC produced a fast start out of the locker room, striking for a pair of goals over the opening 3:49 following the halftime break.
The first score came off a Texas defensive miscue as a ball inside the six-yard-box was chested down and played back towards Smith between the pipes. Unfortunately for the Longhorns, the ball traveled right to North Carolina midfielder Cameron Castleberry, who routinely deposited it home from four yards away to make it 1-0.
It was only two minutes later when the 'Heels struck again as a save by Smith on a close-proximity shot from Green rebounded straight out into the middle. Midfielder Joanna Boyles corralled the ball and fired from the top of the box into the right edge of the twine for a two-goal cushion.
The Longhorns nearly answered back with a score of their own off a set piece during the 61st minute. Dyche sent a corner kick into the middle of the 18. Senior midfielder Lindsey Meyer outjumped the crowd and headed a shot on frame that eventually had to be saved off the line by two different Carolina defenders.
Off a free kick just moments later, Flores had a solid chance go awry when her lunging right-footed attempt from the middle of the 18 scraped just past the outside of the right post.
Looking for a spark, Texas freshman midfielder Katie Glenn tried to ignite something at 66:36 with a lengthy drive from about 28 yards out in the middle of the pitch. Her try would venture right into substitute keeper Bryane Heaberlin's hands for a save.
With 11:28 remaining in the match, a ball played ahead to Flores looked to be dangerous as the Longhorns' rookie forward fought for space between a pair of UNC defenders. Just outside the 18, she went down, but play continued on as UNC controlled the situation and cleared UT's last serious opportunity out of danger.
Post-Match Quotes
Texas Head Coach Angela Kelly
On the momentum and attendance...
"I would've loved for us to get one in the back of the net for these fans. Thank you to all of the fans. I thought the atmosphere was electric."
On the first goal scored by North Carolina...
"I think we just allowed a service on the end line, and there was a bit of miscommunication at the back post. For that one miscommunication, there were numerous other times we made the right choices. The game at the highest level is very practical and North Carolina just capitalized on each opportunity."
On the team's offensive execution...
"I thought we could have possessed the ball a little more. We gave away the ball too much, but we're going to reorganize and get ready for Sunday."
On how she feels about the two goals allowed...
"No one really likes getting scored on, but you've got to turn around and keep playing. Goals happen in the game, and you have to move on from it and learn as a team and move forward."
On the team's defensive effort...
"I think we (the defense) played really well. There was a lot of communication that was involved, and I think we did a lot of new, good things. There's always room for improvement in everybody's game, but I think we did really well."
On communicating with the defense...
"Communication is a key part of the game. Even if it's just with the defense or the midfield or the forwards, everybody's got to communicate. That makes the game a lot easier. So it's a huge part of the game."
Team Stats
Cameron Castleberry (1)
Bad defensive giveaway, finished from in
46:49
Joanna Boyles (1)
Assisted By: Summer Green
Shot off rebound from top of the box by
48:49
