Hurricane Ike blew games against Texas and LSU off the schedule, but the UH soccer team (4-2) went back to work Friday with a 1-0 win over Texas State in San Marcos.
The Cougars were 14 days removed from the last time they kicked off, and head coach Susan Bush said the team showed signs of rust early in the game against San Marcos.
"We started slow and out of rhythm," Bush said. "(Texas State) dominated the first 30 minutes and we really needed to fall back on defense."
The Cougars eventually found their form, thanks to a game-winning header from sophomore midfielder Jessica Rathweg in the 84th minute. Rathweg’s goal – the first of her career – came off an assist by a sniper-like corner kick from freshman defender Stephanie Derieg.
The goal capped off a 4-game Cougar win streak, but Bush said she still sees room for improvement.
"It was a great goal," Bush said. "But we had lots of chances that we need to finish."
Bush’s words proved prophetic as the persistence of finishing woes wound up costing the Cougars the win against Baylor Sunday.
Baylor freshman midfielder Christine Clark slipped a ball past Cougar goalie Shelby Scott in the 68th minute, the first time anyone had done so in 23 days. The senior captain’s streak of 373 consecutive shutout minutes came to an end on the game’s only goal in a 1-0 loss to the Baylor Bears.
Despite being edged out on the scoreboard, the Cougar offense was active, outshooting the Bears 12-7 in the game. Bush said the Cougars, who managed eight corner kicks against the Bears, were able to put a lot of defensive pressure on Baylor – something they can build on throughout the year.
"The loss is not a disappointment. We’ll continue to improve every game," Bush said.
The defeat was the Cougars’ second in six games, giving Houston a 4-2 record heading into its last non-conference game of the year against Houston Baptist University at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Robertson Stadium. Houston won the last meeting with the cross-town rival Huskies 3-1. The return to Robertson marks the first of a five-game UH home stand.
The game against HBU will be the Cougars’ third in six days because of rescheduling after Hurricane Ike. UH students are admitted to the game free with a valid CougarOne card.
