Owls sweep first two challengers

By Yan Digilov     8/28/08 7:00pm

Two seasons of falling short of an NCAA tournament berth and months of intensive off-season training culminated in an exciting opening weekend for the soccer team. With convincing wins against Sam Houston State University and University of Texas- San Antonio last weekend, the squad sent a message to the district and the nation. "Any time you get two home openers, you are hoping to start with a 2-0 record," head coach Chris Huston said. "The girls did fantastic."

The weekend began last Friday with a 2-0 shutout against Sam Houston State. Sophomore forward Bianca Walker, in her first career start, made a skillful run in the 31st minute, passing several Bearkat defenders. She then delivered the ball to freshman Annie Kadota, who delivered on an open shot inside the 18-yard line.

Kadota became the fifth Owl in school history to score a goal in her first career game. Less than two minutes later, the young gun also registered an assist to junior Erin Scott.

---

---

Sunday the Owls faced off against the Roadrunners, and junior Anne Candee had a three-goal performance in a 5-1 victory. Candee, who has not been on the soccer field since she injured her back after a spectacular freshman season in 2005, was named C-USA offensive player of the week.

"To have her back on the field has been awesome," Huston said. "When you are forced to sit and watch, there is a lot that you pick up."

All the soccer knowledge that she picked up in her two years watching from the sidelines allowed Huston to move her from the forward spot to central midfield. She began her domination at the center of the field in only the fourth minute, scoring on a cross from Scott 15 yards away from the left side of the goal.

A return to the field required more than just a single preseason of hard work, though. Two years of intense rehabilitation and constant questions about whether she would ever play again ensured that the early goal meant more than just a 1-0 lead.

The score remained 1-0 throughout the first half, after which the squad's conditioning proved invaluable. The heat of a Sunday afternoon game hit the Roadrunners hard, and Candee scored again in the 56th and 61st minutes.

"It has been a really long battle," Candee said. "I was just excited to be back on the field and reunited with the girls, and to have the team rally round you, really puts into perspective all the hard work."

Junior Shelley Wong added two goals in the 75th and 79th minutes. The Roadrunners were able to put a goal in the net with less than 5 minutes in the game, but the goal did not take away from a stellar performance from the squad's goalie duo of sophomores Meghan Erkel and Catherine Fitzsimmons.

The weekend spelled more than a dominating victory over two opponents. Questions about unproven freshman talent and a completely remade backfield were answered for the time being.

Freshman Hope Ward had a strong weekend, finishing with two assists in Sunday's game.

"What makes [Hope] so dangerous is the runs she makes off the ball," Huston said. "She is constantly taking defenders out of the mix."

Sophomore Jordan Holloway and senior Chandra Ewing, a four-year track letterman who switched to soccer, led a solid defensive effort over the weekend.

Huston is not taking the dominant victories as an opportunity to relax. She said the team will have difficult practices all week in preparation for away games against Oklahoma State and Oklahoma on Sept. 5 and Sept. 7.

"Winning is a habit, just like losing is," Huston said. "You can see it in the girls' eyes. They are motivated and determined.

---