University of Houston
Rice
Cougar Soccer Battles Rice to 0-0 Draw
10/29/2010 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Oct. 29, 2010
Photo GalleryBox Score - HTML PDF
Season Stats - HTML PDF
Combined Season Stats
| 1 | 2 | OT | OT2 | F | |
| Houston | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rice | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Quick Stats | UH | Rice |
| Goals | 0 | 0 |
| Shots | 21 | 20 |
| SOG | 10 | 5 |
| Saves | 5 | 10 |
| Fouls | 15 | 12 |
| Offsides | 0 | 0 |
| Corner Kicks | 1 | 7 |
| Cards (Y/ R) | 1/0 | 1/0 |
| Statistical Leaders | ||||
| Scoring | Goals | Assists | Minutes | Shots |
| Sami Sackos | 0 | 0 | 95 | 5 |
| Lauri Byrne | 0 | 0 | 89 | 5 |
| Goalkeeping | Saves | Goals | Minutes |
| Cami Koski | 5 | 0 | 110 |
HOUSTON - The Houston Cougar soccer team battled Rice to a 0-0 draw in a double-overtime match at Rice Soccer Stadium. The Cougars finish the regular season in third place and will play Wednesday, Oct. 3 against Marshall.
"Every year it's a battle playing against rice," said head coach Susan Bush. "It doesn't matter about records in this game, it's always going to be a close game.
It was a physical, hard-fought match with great tempo and pace. Both teams had their opportunities but couldn't finish. We're pleased with securing the number three seed and our focus is moving forward to Wednesday's game."
The cross-town rivals played an exciting 110-minute long match with 27 fouls and combined for 41 shots but both goalkeepers emerged with the clean sheet.
With seconds left in the first half, freshman Kylie Cook launched a skipping shot at the goal and forced the keeper to dive at the ball. Senior Lauri Byrne was nearby but the Rice keeper was able to scramble to save the Cougars closest chance in the first half.
Rice's best scoring chance in the first came when UH had to defend three corner kicks in a row but Cami Koski emerged with one of her two saves in the first half and poked another ball harmlessly away.
The second half continued with the same frenetic action that paced the first frame.
Freshman Nicole Duarte fired her only two shots of the game early in the second half but neither ball despite their great pace and spin were able to get low enough to dent the scoreboard.
Freshman Fabi Cirino chipped the ball from 25-yards out and forced the Owls' keeper to retreat into her own netting to stop the shot in the 79th minute.
Rice countered minute later with a shot off the bar and kicked the rebounding ball over the goal to keep the game scoreless heading into overtime.
Cook provided another dangerous, drifting kick that challenged the Rice defense but was again saved.
Houston had their final chance when Byrne turned a fired a shot from outside the box in the 119th minute but was turned away by a diving stop.
"I respect their coaching staff and players, and I think they probably feel the same. We have a lot of mutual respect for one another and this hard fought game showed that."
The game was played in front of the third-largest crowd in Rice Soccer Stadium History (1,481) with many Cougar fans in attendance.
UP NEXT
Houston faces Marshall (7-8-3, 5-5-1) in the first round of the C-USA Championship beginning Wednesday, Nov 3. Houston beat Marshall 2-0 at home earlier in the year.
"Its always tough to beat a team for the second time. We had home field advantage earlier and now it'll be a neutral field. I expect a whole new game. It's single-elimination and I know they are going to be battling."
