CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Senior
Avery Cortez scored early and goalkeeper
Karla Ramirez set a new career-best mark for saves as the HBU women's soccer team played to a 1-1 draw on the opening night of Southland Conference play at Dr. Jack Dugan Soccer and Track & Field Stadium on Friday night.
HBU (0-5-1, 0--1 SLC) sophomore
Mia Salas attempted the first two shots of the game for the Huskies with both off target before the Islanders' (2-3-1, 0-0-1 SLC) Reaghan Lang put a shot low right but
Karla Ramirez made her first save of the game. Early in the 38
th minute, freshman
Felicia Hernandez gained control in the Huskies' offensive half and crossed a ball into the six-yard box to
Avery Cortez who redirected the ball to the left and into the net for a 1-0 lead. Ramirez made her second save of the half in the 40
th minute.
The teams traded shots in the second half with Ramirez making another five saves in the half while the Huskies put two of their six attempts on target. In overtime, Hernandez put an attempt on goal less than two minutes in from just outside the 18-yard box but it was knocked clear by the TAMUCC keeper. Across a pair of overtime periods, HBU placed four shots on goal to the Islanders' two.
The goal was Cortez's second in as many games, giving her 14 for her career. The assist was the first of Hernandez's career. In goal, Ramirez came up with nine saves for a new career-high. HBU out-shot the hosts 19-16 but TAMUCC has 10 attempts on goal to HBU's seven. Corner kicks were nearly even with the Islanders earning to 10 and HBU taking eight.
The draw extends HBU's unbeaten streak against the Islanders to nine and pulls the Huskies' all-time record against TAMUCC to 6-0-3.
"I am really happy with the performance tonight and that we earned a results against a tough opponent on the road," said head coach
Chris Dodd. "It was encouraging to see the number of chances we created and the all-around team effort. Moving forward, we need to minimize mistakes in the back and not give up so many set pieces. Sunday against UTSA will be a good test to keep us sharp before continuing conference play on Thursday against Southeastern."
The Huskies head to San Antonio, Texas for their final non-conference matchup of the season on Sunday, Sep. 12, afternoon against UTSA at 2:00 p.m.
