Game Recap: Soccer | | Chris Allen Brown
DURHAM, N.C. – For every storybook ending that ends with the hero slaying the dragon, there’s always an ending that features heartbreak and sorrow. The University of Texas women’s soccer program pulled the latter storyline from the bookshelf during Friday night’s 3-2 loss to No. 16 Michigan State.
After each team traded possessions for the first seven minutes of the match, Michigan State (14-2-5) took a 1-0 lead on a Mackenzie Anthony goal that was assisted by Bella Najera. And the Spartans held onto the one-goal lead for nearly 30 minutes until Texas freshman forward Amalia Villarreal, a Lansing, Mich., native, tied the game by sending a Jilly Shimkin pass into the back of the net during the 32nd minute.
The score remained 1-1 throughout the remainder of the first half, and nearly the first 30 minutes of the second half until Najera pushed the Spartans ahead, 2-1, during the 72nd minute. But, six minutes later, Texas senior forward Holly Ward tied the match during the 78th minute after taking a Lexi Missimo pass, beating a Michigan State defender and sending a shot past the Spartan goalkeeper.
Over the final 11 minutes of regulation, both squads attempted to take advantage of the pressure of the final minutes but neither offense found the back of the net before the horn.
Despite having momentum and multiple scoring opportunities during the closing minutes, Texas was unable to take control of the opening moments of the first 10-minute overtime period, which allowed Michigan State to capitalize and score the match-ending goal just two minutes into overtime as Anthony hit a loose ball off of Texas goalkeeper Mia Justus’ leg and into the bottom-right corner of the net.
FROM HEAD COACH ANGELA KELLY
"Just all the best to Michigan State. I thought it was a tough, tough battle … back and forth, which was pretty indicative from the stats. I think both teams created a lot of opportunities, and both teams had chances to put the ball in the net. It was a tough a way to lose, certainly with the type of senior class and talent that we’ve had in that class, and what they’ve done for this program has been historic. I’m just really proud of each and every one of my players. And yeah, there’s only one team in America that smiles after their last game."
MATCH NOTES
UP NEXT
Friday night’s result brought to an end the 2024 Texas women’s soccer season as the Longhorns finished the campaign with a 17-4-2 record that included a 6-3-1 mark in their first season in the Southeastern Conference.
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For the latest information on the team, follow @TexasSoccer on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. General athletic news can also be found at @TexasLonghorns on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
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