University of Houston
USF
Cougar Soccer Wins Thriller in Overtime
10/22/2004 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Oct. 22, 2004
With a 1-1 tie in the first overtime, freshman forward Amanda Hale intercepted a kick from USF goalkeeper Breck Bankester about 20 yards from the goal, and with the goal wide open, made a shot that bounced off the far right post and rolled into the net to capture the University of Houston women's soccer team's 2-1 win over the Bulls on Friday night (Oct. 22) at Robertson Stadium on the UH campus.
Hale's winning goal in the 94th minute halted the Cougars' six-game losing streak and gave them their second Conference USA win of the season.
In a defensive and physical battle between both schools - there were a combined 31 fouls - and a scoreless first half, Houston struck first at the 47-minute mark when senior midfielder and All-Conference candidate Nikki Hawkins sailed a free kick over the heads of the line of USF defenders and into the back of the net.
The goal was Hawkins' team-leading 11th of the season, and the most goals by a Cougar since Nicole Aubuchon notched 12 during the 2000 campaign. In addition, Hawkins now has 26 points on the year, the most by a Houston player in school history. And with 48 shots on the year, she is also just five away from tying the all-time school record of 53 in a single season.
The Bulls tied the game at 1-1 in the 79th minute when Megan Morton scored on a rebound from Houston defender Ashleigh Williams.
Houston goalie Nicole Oliver notched eight saves on the night to out her season total at 67, tied for fifth place all-time in a single season.
The win improves Houston's record to 5-12-0 on the year, including 2-6-0 in C-USA play. The Cougars remain at home and host the UAB Blazers on Sunday, Oct. 24, at noon, before closing out the 2004 season on Friday, Oct. 29 against the visiting Charlotte 49ers.
