Texas Soccer loses hard fought, physical match to No. 20 Baylor in double overtime
Oct. 20, 2012
Dalton Pool, Texas Media Relations WACO, Texas -- To say Friday night's game against No. 20 Baylor was physical would be an understatement. To say it was entertaining would be completely accurate. Both teams came out firing from the opening whistle, and a rowdy crowd provided for an intense atmosphere throughout the night. The game was back and forth as each offense went straight at the opposing defense for the length of the match. For the first 79 minutes, however, the defenses were able to hold their own and not concede any goals. But then Baylor's Dana Larsen scored what looked like would be the game winner with 10:22 left in the match. The goal came off a well struck shot from about 30 yards out that dipped down towards the ground and appeared to be going wide, but then took an awkward bounce and went into the top corner. The fortuitous bounce got past Texas goalie Abby Smith, who was in position to make what should have been a routine save. Nevertheless, the Longhorns refused to quit and kept battling. With only 90 seconds to go, Sharis Lachappelle fired in a left-footed free kick from just outside the top right corner of the Baylor penalty box. The curling service fooled the Baylor goalkeeper, as she was preoccupied with Texas players running in the box, and found its way into the far side of the net and sent the game into overtime. In overtime both teams had their chances, but it was Baylor that capitalized and found the golden goal with 5:08 to go in the second extra session. "The result obviously wasn't in our favor and wasn't what we were looking for," head coach Angela Kelly said. "However, the way in which the team executed and battled made me very proud."
After Texas cleared the initial service from a Baylor corner kick in the second overtime period, Larsen served the ball back into the box and this time the Bears' Alexa Wilde was there to head the ball into the top right corner of the Texas goal and end the game. "We were resilient and our seniors were leaders all night," Kelly said. "Sharis' goal with a 1:30 left was a product of our no quit attitude. It was a heck of a game." Freshman Kelsey Shimmick impressed all night, playing all 105 minutes after Kelly gave her the start, which was just the second of Shimmick's career and her first in conference play. "Our youth has really matured and come a long way this season," Kelly said. "Kelsey played the entire match tonight, and that was a reward for her hard work in practice." Shimmick's speed up top makes Texas dynamic and keeps opposing defenses on their toes. She demonstrated that speed in the first half when she streaked down the left side, cut the ball into the middle, and released a shot from the top of the box that required a great save from Baylor goalkeeper Michelle Kloss. For a young Texas team, games like this will undoubtedly be beneficial down the line as it will better prepare the Longhorns for the physicality and grittiness required to advance to, and in, the NCAA Tournament. Friday's loss will definitely be a tough one to swallow, but nobody can doubt the effort Texas put forward. Kelly said it best -- "If you were in attendance [Friday] you saw an unbelievable battle from both sides, and walked away knowing that the women's game is getting better." |
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