SCOUTING THE HUSKIES
Houston Baptist enters its 13th season under Head Coach Misty Jones.
HBU closed its 2017 slate with a 7-7-3 overall record, including a 6-3-2 mark in Southland play. The Huskies advanced to the Southland Conference Tournament where they fell in the opening round to Central Arkansas.
The Huskies return 14 letterwinners, including second team All-Conference selections from last season Baylii Bieke and Autumn Wildung.
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SCOUTING THE CARDINALS
Lamar enters its third season under Head Coach Steve Holeman.
The Cardinals closed out last season with an 18-4-1 overall record, including a 10-1-0 mark in Southland play, winning the Southland Conference regular-season and tournament titles.
Lamar advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history where it fell to then-No. 6 Texas A&M in the opening round.
Lamar returns 11 letterwinners from last season including SLC Newcomer of the Year and First Team All-SLC selection Kelso Peskin, First Team selection Lucy Ashworth and second team selection Amelia Fullmer.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Cougars fell behind early after Houston Baptist knocked in its first goal inside the 10th minute.
The Huskies would find the back of the net again in the 33rd and 64th minutes.
Angela Forthuber would connect with a pass from Nolin Packer for her first career goal and Packers first career assist.
Desiree Bowen led the Cougars with five shots, followed by Mia Brascia with four and Kaitlyn Wild with three.
Rachel Estopare played every minute in-goal for Houston, posting five saves.
https://twitter.com/UHCougarSoccer/status/1030601291557416961
Should we be losing to HBU in ANYTHING?
Probably not.
Definite concern about the defense and how the offense is finishing. Coogs are getting a lot more shots on goal than the other team, but aren’t converting while giving up quite a few goals. Need to get that fixed and soon if there’s any chance of having success this year.
Yikes. Tough weekend. Hoping coaches can get this turned around. I’ve never understood how the university sits in a hotbed of recruiting and struggles year after year.
Same story, although Lamar is a tough team to beat at their place after making the NCAAs for the 1st time last year. Coogs continue to get more shots on goal, but aren’t seeing results.
_HOW IT HAPPENED _
The Cougars put up a strong defensive effort early when senior goalkeeper Rachel Estopare picked up her first save of the match on a Lamar penalty kick.
LU would get on the board inside the 19th minute when the Cardinals scored off a header that found its way to the back of the net.
Lamar would score again in the 82nd minute.
Houston had its share of scoring opportunities, racking up 17 shots, including seven SOG.
Desiree Bowen led the Cougars with three shots, each of them on target.
Natalie Anderson and Lauren Flowers each recorded two shots each, three others cougars recorded one shots apiece.
Estopare played every minute in-goal for the Cougars and recorded three saves.
Houston outshot Lamar 17-12 and racked up two more corner kicks than the Cardinals