Women's Soccer
Houston Knocks Off UL In 3-2 Overtime Thriller To Open 2006

Gaines knocks home a penalty kick with seven seconds left in overtime

Courtney Gaines knocked home the game-winning penalty kick with seven seconds left in overtime, giving UH a 3-2 win over UL.
 
Courtney Gaines knocked home the game-winning penalty kick with seven seconds left in overtime, giving UH a 3-2 win over UL.
  
Women's Soccer Home


RELATED LINKS

• Ticket Information

• Tom Tellez Track Facility

• Houston Soccer on Facebook

• Follow Houston Soccer on Twitter

HEADLINES
Houston Student-Athletes to be Honored with Degrees

Rhodes Signs to Play for Houston Aces

Soccer Hosts Clinic for Texas Heatwave Club

Aug. 25, 2006

Box Score | Photo Gallery

Box Score in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader

HOUSTON - The University of Houston soccer team earned a 3-2 overtime win, with a penalty kick by Courtney Gaines (Sugar Land, Texas/Clements HS) with seven seconds left on the clock the difference, in its season-opener against Louisiana-Lafayette Friday at the Carl Lewis Track & Field Complex.

Gaines' penalty was set up after All-America candidate Sophia Mundy (Katy, Texas/St. Pius X/Portland State) was fouled just inside the penalty area. Houston (1-0) won its season opener for the first time since 2002, a 2-1 win over Rice. UH moved its all-time record versus the Ragin' Cajuns (0-1) to 3-1.

"Sometimes it's better to be lucky then good," head coach Bill Solberg said. "We out-shot them, which I was happy about. I thought it was a gutsy performance by our kids. They fought the whole way out there."

Shelby Scott (Mesquite, Texas/North Mesquite HS) earned her first collegiate win after subbing in for Lynn Baker (Orland Park, Ill./Sandburg HS) at the half. Scott faced eight shots in the final 54:42, making three saves. Baker made one save and allowed two goals in the opening 45 minutes. Louisiana-Lafayette's Stephanie Weston took the loss, making 12 saves off of Houston's 21 shots.

 

 

UL opened up the scoring in the 12th minute as Lindsay Webb placed the ball past a diving baker after a nice service from Courtney Hofland.

Mundy was next to strike in the 25th minute. After dribbling the ball through part of the defense, Mundy turned and slotted a bending ball in the upper right corner, giving Weston no chance for the save. The goal was Mundy's 15th of her career, moving her into a tie for third place all-time with Nicole Aubuchon (2000-03).

The Cougars took the lead for the first time in the 37th minute as a Mundy corner found its way to the head of Jordan Godbolt (Austin, Texas/Travis HS) who put it in the back of the net for her first collegiate score. UH started five freshmen on the night and two others saw game action.

UL came alive in the final five minutes of the half, creating numerous chances and finding the equalizer in the 43rd minute. Courtney Hofland looped a shot over Baker's head and just under the cross bar to knot it at two apiece.

The Cajuns were a stronger team in the second half, with eight of their 12 shots coming in the second 45 minutes. They also earned four corners, compared to none for UH in the half.

Houston picked up the pace in the overtime period, holding UL without a shot and eventually setting up the game-winner.

Tonight was the second time UH has played an overtime game in the season opener, and the first time they have won in extra time to open a year. On Sept. 2, 2001, UH and Army tied at 0-0 after two extra periods.

"Our newcomers got their first game under their belt," Solberg said. "It was a good win. We will clean up some stuff tomorrow and tonight hopefully built some confidence heading into Sunday's match."

Houston returns to the Carl Lewis Complex Sunday with a 1 p.m. CST matchup with Baylor. UH has dropped both previous meetings with the Bears, who opened up their season with a 1-0 win over Northwestern State Friday night.

Tickets