Cougars Notch First Win of the Season in Overtime Against Texas State

HOUSTON, TEXAS (September 12, 2009) The University of Houston soccer team claimed its first victory of the season in overtime against the Texas State Bobcats in front of 412 fans in Robertson Stadium Friday night.

Texas State forward Brittany Curry posted the first goal of the game in the 31st minute when she beat Cougar goal keeper Lauren Frazier in a one-on-one dual. Curry was the leading offensive player for the Bobcats recording three shots on goal.

“Texas State is a really good program,” head coach Susan Bush said. “I respect their team and their coach. It’s a battle every year. I thought they played a great game. No. 4 (Curry) took the ball, ran straight at our defense and we couldn’t stop her.

“In the second half, we gained momentum and changed our style of play a little bit, adding more offense. We told our team that this was a must-win game and they dug deep and produced results. I’m proud of our girls and thought they worked hard. We now have to focus on our battle on Sunday.”

On the threshold of what seemed to be another shutout, senior forward Nikki Echeverria crossed to junior midfielder Melanie Adelman who slid the ball passed goal minder Deborah Ross in the 80th minute to tie the game at 1-1.

“It was towards the end of the game and, at that point, I just wanted any goal,” Adelman said. “Everyone was hungry; there was only a few minutes left in the game. When I scored, everything around me went silent. I was just so happy. Everyone was running towards me and it was just a good feeling to get back in the game. That’s all I wanted at that point.”

The goal marked Adelman’s first as a Cougar while Echeverria tallied her fifth career assist.

The game remained a stalemate as the regulation clock wound down. After a short five-minute break, the Cougars entered their second post regulation period of the season. Nearing the end of the period, the two teams stood on the verge of double overtime. With less than a minute to go, Houston forward Morgan Vela passed a deflected ball to Adelman who crossed it to Jessica Zavalza. The sophomore forward headed the ball into the corner of the net, ending the game 2-1.

“It felt amazing to score,” Zavalza said. “It was my first header at UH so that made it 10 times more fantastic. Once I saw her (Melanie Adelman) running down the line, I knew she was going to cross it and I wanted to be there to finish. We worked hard and I’m glad we won.”

The goal marks Zavalza’s sixth career goal and fourth game-winning goal.

The win puts Houston at 1-4 on the season and drops Texas State to 2-4, in addition to improving its all-time record against the Bobcats to 7-1.

The Cougars will continue their weekend at home against McNeese State Sunday, Sept. 13 at 1 p.m. CT.