Soccer focuses on defense after recent losses
The Rice University women's soccer team faced a doubleheader this weekend, hosting Colorado College and then visiting Florida International University to finish up the weekend. In an exciting overtime clash, the Rice Owls lost 4-3 against Colorado College. Rice then went on to lose 5-2 to FIU, bringing its conference record to 3-4-0.
Rice lost at home in a close overtime finish to the Colorado College Tigers Friday night. Early in the game, junior Quinny Truong scored to put the Owls up 1-0. However, Colorado College stormed back, scoring two to take the lead at halftime. Sophomore forward Lauren Hughes and sophomore midfielder Jasmine Isokpunwu both scored to give Rice the lead late in the second half. However, it was not until the 72nd minute that Colorado College scored to tie the game 3-3. Colorado College then won with a goal in the 95th minute. Colorado College is currently the top team in Conference USA's West Division, with a record of 6-0-1.
Head Coach Nicky Adams said she was proud of the way Truong played in the game against Colorado College.
"Truong had two great games," Adams said. "She had a great attitude, and it showed on the field this weekend."
After the loss at home, the Owls traveled to Miami to face the FIU Golden Panthers, losing 5-2. Prior to the loss against FIU, the Owls had not allowed five goals in a single game since 2008.
Truong scored one of Rice's goals, and sophomore forward Holly Hargreaves scored the other, her sixth this season. FIU stands atop C-USA's East Division with a record of 4-3-0.
It is no secret that injuries have hindered the Owls. The team lost senior defender Hayley Williams to a broken foot during the game against Colorado College, although it is unclear whether the game was the sole cause of the injury or if the break was the result of a previous fracture. Adams said the team must focus on its well-being going into practice.
"The main thing I told the team going into the week is to focus on healing our bodies," Adams said. "We have to try to take care of business on Friday so we can be fresh and ready for the game
on Sunday."
Williams said the focus must be on the team, not its record.
"We are going to focus on us," Williams said. "We need to take it day by day and concentrate on what can make us better."
The Rice Owls will now face East Carolina University and Old Dominion University at home this weekend, looking to go back over .500 in conference play. ECU, which is also 3-4-0, is coming off back-to-back wins in which it beat FIU 2-1 in overtime and shut out Florida Atlantic University 1-0. ECU is currently fifth in C-USA East.
Old Dominion comes to Rice off a loss in which it was shut out 2-0 against the University of Alabama, Birmingham. Old Dominion is currently last place in C-USA East. With Williams' injury, the Rice Owls are about to head into uncharted territory to seek a winning
conference record.
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