HBU women’s soccer shuts out Incarnate Word 5-0

 

Senior Natalie Hager scored two goals for Huskies.
Photo by Erik Williams

HOUSTON, TEXAS (October 13, 2014) – The HBU women’s soccer team ended their four-match home stand with a bang, as the Huskies shut out visiting Incarnate Word, 5-0, in a Southland Conference match Sunday afternoon at Sorrels Field.

The match was delayed 1:40 early in the second half due to rain and lightning.

Natalie Hager scored two goals to lead HBU (4-6-3 overall, 3-1-2 SLC). It was her first multi-goal match since she scored twice in a 3-1 win at Northwestern State on Sept. 7, 2012.

Connor Ryder and Morgan Dean also scored goals Sunday. Ryder took a match-high five shots and three shots on goal.

 

The five goals were the most scored in a game since the Huskies defeated Prairie View A&M, 5-1, on Oct. 1, 2012.

Patty Walrath made three saves in the first 45 minutes as she earned the win, while Katie Turner also made three saves in the second half.

Jazma Latu led UIW (1-11-1 overall, 1-4-1 SLC) with three shots, while six different Cardinals had a shot on goal.

 

Heather Kowalik took the loss in goal, as she made four saves and allowed four goals in 45 minutes. Karly Brightwell made three saves and allowed a goal in the second half.

HBU scored the first two goals of the match three minutes apart. Ryder scored the eventual game winner in the 17th minute, as Blake Martin passed to Taylor Gibson, who sent a cross pass into the box to Ryder.

In the 20th minute, Kristi O’Brien took a throw-in, which went to Rebekah Tovar. Tovar passed the ball to Hager, who scored the first of two goals for the senior.

Hager scored her second goal in the 26th minute, assisted by Ellee Hall. With the Huskies putting pressure on the Cardinals deep in their zone, HBU forced a turnover. Hall passed the ball to Hager in the middle of the box, who scored top-shelf.

The Huskies’ fourth goal of the first half came with just three seconds left before halftime, as Kelsey Missimer was on the left side and sent a cross pass. Dean made a beautiful header and scored past Kowalik.

HBU outshot UIW in the first half, 15-8, while shots on goal were 8-3. HBU took all three corner kick attempts.

The two teams played seven minutes of the second half before torrential rain and lightning caused a delay. The delay lasted an hour and 40 minutes before the two teams resumed play on very wet and soggy conditions. Rain continued to fall off and on throughout the remainder of the match.

The Huskies’ final goal of the match came in the 87th minute on an own goal. Tovar sent in a cross pass, but a UIW defender attempted to clear, but instead knocked the ball into her own net.

Shots were even at 8-apiece in the second half, while HBU held a 4-1 advantage in corner kicks in the half and 7-1 in the match.

HBU begins a four-match road trip beginning next Sunday, October 19 at Central Arkansas at 1 p.m.