Video: O'Brien's Game-Winning 40-Yard Goal
HOUSTON – HBU senior defender
Kristi O'Brien's 40-yard goal stunned Sorrels Field in the Huskies' victory over Incarnate Word, 1-0, in the Southland Conference women's soccer opener Friday night.
"Tonight wasn't our best performance, but I am proud of the girls for playing hard and earning the win," HBU head coach
Misty Jones said. "It is great to start conference off with a win. Now back to work to prepare for next weekend."
O'Brien was the sole scorer of the match for the Huskies (3-5-0, 1-0-0 SLC). The Huskies cleared the ball back to their sweeper, who dribbled forward unmarked and let go a blast from just outside the midfield circle, forcing the goalkeeper to attempt to tip the ball over the goal, but resulted in the ball hitting the crossbar and bouncing down just across the goal line in the 51
st minute. Junior midfielder
Charlotte Vancura recorded the assist on the clearing pass and added one shot on goal. Junior midfielder
Ellee Hall and sophomore forward
Gabby Rodriguez each tallied two shots on goal for HBU. Junior goalkeeper
Katie Turner earned the shutout win with five saves.
Ashley Crabbe recorded two of the five shots on goal for UIW (1-5-1, 0-1-0 SLC). Sydney Huntsinger took the loss in goal, making five saves and one goal against.
Although UIW led the match with 13 fouls, it was Hall who was booked in the final minute of the match with the Huskies first yellow card of the season. UIW also led the match, 9-2, on corner kicks and total shots, 12-11.
The Huskies will host SLC rivals on Family Weekend, starting with Sam Houston State University on Friday at 7 p.m. and will finish the weekend against Stephen F. Austin Sunday at 1 p.m.
