LAREDO, Texas (Sept. 30, 2023) – The Texas Woman's soccer team recorded another win in Laredo, Texas.
TWU (8-1-1, 3-1) added another 2-0 result to their overall record against TAMIU (2-3-3, 0-2-1). The Pioneers have defeated the Dustdevils 2-0 in 2019, 2021 and 2023. With the win, the Pioneers moved to 3-1 in Lone Star Conference play, currently tying them with St. Mary's for the top spot in the LSC standings.
"Big win on the road tonight," TWU Head Coach Babak Abouzar said."We came out again with a sense of urgency and capitalized on an early opportunity. I can't give enough credit to our back line and our goalkeeper. They all came up big tonight. Striker has been working hard the last few games and has been wanting a goal. It was so nice to see her rewarded for one after a great defensive play by Zayda."
TWU started strong and took the lead over TAMIU early in the game.
The first shot opportunity for the Pioneers came in the seventh minute of the match from a corner kick. After a couple of shots from TWU that tested Fabiana Solano, the Dustdevil's keeper, and a few defenders, Rylee Avery sent an unstoppable shot to the back of the net. Avery received the ball from a TAMIU defender that intended to head-out the ball. Her centered position, just outside of the box, gave her enough space to send a bottom right corner shot.
This marks Avery's first career goal.
Amanda Farris had a couple of incredible saves to help the Pioneers record another clean sheet, the seventh shutout of the season.
In the 21st minute of the game, an attack from the Dustdevils ended on a long crossed shot from Apryl Alvarez. Farris was able to get her right hand on the ball and kept the Pioneers ahead.
TWU had another five shots on the first half of the game but went into halftime with a 1-0 lead.
The second half of the game had a total of 15 shots, nine for the Pioneers and seven for the Dustdevils, who were trying to tie things up.
Alyssa Striker struck again to seal the deal for the Pioneers. The freshman, who leads the LSC on shots on goal with 17, had been looking for her third goal of the season in the last couple of games.
With less than four minutes left on the clock, Striker got a foot on a stolen ball and was left with an one-on-one opportunity against the Dustdevils' keeper. She did not think about it twice, and sent a shot over the keeper's head that ended on a 2-0 lead for the Pioneers.
As TWU recorded their seventh clean sheet of the season, they have not allowed a goal in three games. They are the team with the least amount of goals against in the LSC with two. They are also the leading team on shots with a total of 158 total in ten games.
The defensive back line minimized the number of shots on goals for TAMIU to only two in the entire game.
Farris continues to lead the LSC in shutouts per game (.700), saves (.926) and goals against (.203).
"We will enjoy this win and get ready for Eastern New Mexico on Wednesday," Coach Abouzar said.
Next up for the Pioneers is Eastern New Mexico at Al Whitehead Field at Greyhound Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 4 at 6 p.m (CST). TWU returns home on Saturday, Oct 7 at 1 p.m. against St. Mary's.
- PIONEERS -
