Golden goals set up soccer's fifth win of the season
The Owls ended the non-conference slate with a bang last Saturday as they outlasted Western Kentucky University, 3-2 in a double overtime thriller. It was the Owls second double-overtime win of the season as they beat Louisiana State University 1-0 in double-overtime at home on Sept. 2.
Rice did not wait long to capitalize on an opportunity as sophomore forward Jessica Howard added a goal in the 19th minute to give the Owls a 1-0 lead.
The Owls' lead did not last for long, as the Hilltoppers tied the game at 1-1 in the 32nd minute thanks to a goal from Western Kentucky senior forward Mallory Outerbridge. Rice could not find the back of the net for the rest of the half and the game went into halftime tied 1-1.
Coming out of halftime, Western Kentucky took advantage of their chances as they added to their lead thanks to a goal from Hilltopper sophomore midfielder Torrie Lange in the 56th minute. The Owls attacked right back as Howard added her second goal of the night three minutes later.
Even though the Owls had multiple opportunities in the last few moments of regulation, they could not finish the job. Senior forward Annie Kadota's shot on goal in the 85th minute was saved by the goalkeeper, as was fellow senior forward Hope Ward's attempt to head in the game-winner in the 90th minute.
Although the Owls dominated the game by outshooting Western Kentucky 23-13 through 90 minutes, it was all for naught as the game was tied 2-2 and headed to overtime.
In the first overtime session, senior forward Nikki Storness tried to end the game in the 94th minute, but her shot was saved. However, in the 102nd minute in second overtime, she would not be denied as she put the shot past the goalkeeper to seal the win for the Owls. It was Storness' first goal of the season, and it could not have come at a better time for the veteran.
Head Coach Nicky Adams was ecstatic about the win and proud of Storness' deciding goal.
"That was huge for Nikki to get the game-winner tonight in double-overtime," Adams said. "I've been proud of her as one of our senior leaders off the field, and tonight she stepped-up with a finishing play on the field to get her teammates a win. I'm happy for Nikki and the girls for the way it finished out tonight."
The Owls are 5-2-1 for the young season as they start Conference USA tonight against the University of Alabama Birmingham and get to play at home against Memphis University Sunday afternoon. The Owls hope they can get the results they want and start off the conference season with some momentum.
This is the first conference game of the season. The Owls hope to avenge last year's 1-0 loss at UAB. The Owls also host Memphis on Sunday afternoon.
More from The Rice Thresher
“Ginny & Georgia” Season 3: A Messy, Magnetic Villain Origin Story
I’ll admit it: I came into “Ginny & Georgia” expecting another glossy Netflix soap that looks great in a weekend binge but evaporates from memory by Monday. By the end of season three, I realized I’d been doing something I rarely do with shows like this: I was taking notes. Not on the plot (though it’s as twisty and outrageous as ever), but on the characters. I loved them. I was grinning from ear to ear watching them scheme, stumble and monologue their way through impossible situations. That’s when I knew: this show had done something right.
“Weapons” Aims for the Heart of American Horror but Misses Its Mark
I first heard of “Weapons” when I noticed it sitting at a perfect 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. That number has since dropped, but it speaks to the wave of acclaim the film has ridden since its release. And while I don’t agree with the score, I get why the hype built so quickly. “Weapons” is the kind of horror-comedy that blends unsettling dread with moments of absurd humor, a tonal balancing act that feels rare in a studio horror film.
Review: Quadeca rises from the sea fully-formed on “Vanisher, Horizon Scraper”
The first notes you hear on Quadeca’s newest album “Vanisher, Horizon Scraper” are from Chico Buarque’s seminal Brazilian classic “Construção”. By opening this project with that sample, the former “Bad Internet Rapper,” notorious for getting in a beef with fellow internet personality KSI, seems to be saying that the project his audience is about to hear will be as ambitious as Buarque’s classic.
Please note All comments are eligible for publication by The Rice Thresher.