University of Houston
Memphis
Cougars Fall to No. 9 Memphis, 2-1
9/23/2011 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Sept. 23, 2011
Game Stats | Season Stats | 1 | 2 | F | |
| Memphis | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Houston | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Quick Stats | UH | UM |
| Goals | 1 | 2 |
| Shots | 9 | 13 |
| Shots on Goal | 7 | 6 |
| Saves | 7 | 6 |
| Offsides | 1 | 1 |
| Fouls | 6 | 7 |
| Cards (Y/R) | 2/0 | 1/0 |
| Statistical Leaders | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goals | Assists | Shots | ||
| Jessica Zavalza | 1 | 0 | 3 | |
| Sami Sackos | 0 | 0 | 2 | |
| GA | Saves | Shots | Min | |
| Cami Koski | 2 | 7 | 13 | 90 |
HOUSTON - The University of Houston women's soccer team dropped a 2-1 decision to undefeated Memphis Friday night at Robertson Stadium.
Memphis (9-0-0) struck first as they broke through the Cougar defense in the 11th minute when freshman forward Kylie Davis drove a cross from Christabel Oduro past Cougar keeper Cami Koski. The Tigers added another goal in the first frame to go up 2-0 at the half.
In the second half, following a rare mishap by Memphis goalkeeper Elise Kuhar-Pitters, Jessica Zavalza put Houston on the board. Kuhar-Pitters was attempting a throw in, when the ball slipped out of her hands and Zavalza reacted swiftly, sending the ball back towards the Memphis goal, where it was almost saved by a defender, but bounced just inside the goal post bringing the Cougars within one. Houston was unable to overcome the early 2-0 deficit, falling to No. 9 Memphis, 2-1.
"We asked our players to take pride in the game and their play, representing their team, and their University," head coach Susan Bush said. "I thought the second half we played fantastic, we had them on their heels, but we dug ourselves in a hole the first half."
Stellar play from the Memphis keeper seemed to be the theme of the night. Houston had several scoring opportunities that were denied. In the second minute of play, the Cougars connected on a string of passes to find sophomore Kylie Cook streaking down the middle off the field, just outside the 18-yard box. Memphis goalkeeper Kuhar-Pitters made a diving save, denying Cook's shot on goal.
In the 59th minute, junior forward Katelyn Rhodes slipped a pass to a streaking Sami Sackos, who found herself one-on-one with Kuhar-Pitters, Sackos then took a shot at point blank range that was snatched out of the air by the C-USA Defensive Player of the Week Kuhar-Pitters.
Coming into tonight's match Kuhar-Pitters had only allowed two goals on the season.
UP NEXT
Houston (3-5-0) will return home to host UAB at Robertson Stadium Sunday at 1 p.m.
"If we just play 90 minutes we can compete with anybody," sophomore forward Sami Sackos said. We have been able to put together solid second halves, we just have to come out and compete the entire game."
