Cougar soccer kicks off the tail end of their non-conference schedule with a visit to Austin, going up against the University of Texas Longhorns on Friday and the Texas State Bobcats on Sunday.
The National Soccer Coaches Association of America No. 5 Longhorns (4-1-1) and Cougars both come into this match off draws against LSU at home.
However, unlike the Cougars, the Longhorns outshot the Tigers 32-13 in their draw.
It will be a reunion of sorts for the Cougars (3-0-1), who will be playing against two transfers from last year’s team, junior forward Courtney Gaines and sophomore midfielder Jordan Godbolt.
Gaines has started in five of six games and has recorded three assists, while Godbolt has been off the bench four times and garnered one assist.
Gaines and Godbolt combined for 36 points last season for the Cougars.
The key to stopping the Longhorns will rest in shutting down senior forward Kelsey Carpenter. Carpenter was last year’s Big 12 Offensive Player Of The Year, and so far this year has scored five goals in six games.
The second half of the trip takes the Cougars to San Marcos on Sunday as they look to continue Texas State’s woes.
The Bobcats (1-8-0) have lost their last eight games and have lost four of their last six games by two or more goals.
Bobcats coach Kat Conner did a remarkable job starting the program, but the Bobcats have struggled the last few years.
Goalkeeper sophomore Mandi Mawyer had six saves, but it was the two she let through that decided their fate in their last loss against University of Texas-El Paso.
The Cougars will rely mainly on junior goalkeeper and Conference USA Defensive Player Of The Week Shelby Scott to hold down the Texas offense.
The Cougars have been outshot 73-50, and goalkeeping is going to be the thing that keeps them in the game against Texas.
It’s not completely out of the realm of possibility for the Cougars to take that game, but winning on the road against a ranked opponent isn’t easy in any sport.
While the game against Texas will be rough, Texas State should be a welcome respite, and if they give their best they can knock off the Longhorns as well.
