CORPUS CHRISTI – Texas used a second-half surge to pull away in posting a 6-0 victory over the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi women's soccer team in front of a program-record crowd of 1,908 at Dugan Stadium on Friday night. The Islanders (1-2-1) trailed 1-0 at the break in the contest.
National team goalkeeper Abby Smith earned the shutout for the Longhorns (3-0-2), making a brilliant save on the only shot she faced. Megan Delaney made eight saves for the Islanders in a losing effort.
"I think the girls did a great job tonight," head coach Shanna Caldwell said. "Anyone who watched both the spring game against Texas and this one – our attack was stronger, we looked more organized, we had better combination play. We were fighting the first 45 minutes.
"The second half, I was upset we gave up that early goal," she added. "We gave up a couple goals we can prevent, and we'll work on that. Overall, while I'm not excited about the final scoreboard, I'm very pleased with the progress from playing them in the spring to playing them now."
Caldwell and the Islanders got a huge boost from the crowd on hand, more than 700 larger than the previous high.
"It was huge," Caldwell said. "We can't ask for better community support, student support. They were loud, they were involved in the game. If we can get that every game, that's definitely going to help us throughout the season."
Texas held a slight edge in play early on, earning several corners and putting a few shots off frame. But the Islanders had the best chance of the game to that point in the 28th minute. Zoe Cole delivered a beautiful touch for a through ball to Yvette Franco. Franco took a touch then blistered a shot toward the corner, but Abby Smith made a tremendous diving stop to her right to keep the game scoreless.
Just five minutes later, though, the Longhorns cracked the scoreboard to take a 1-0 lead. Brooke Gilbert took a free kick from 35 yards and sent it toward the top of the box. Sharis Lachappelle flicked the ball ahead to Olivia Brook at the far post. Brook then sent it back to the middle, and Lindsey Meyer fired to the back of the net for her first goal of the season. The score remained that way into the half.
The Longhorns extended the lead just over two minutes into the second half. Off a ball into the box, Brook's shot was blocked by a defender, but the ball caromed to Jasmine Hart, who found the back of the net for her first goal of the year.
Texas pushed the lead to three in the 60th minute on a brilliant finish by Brook. Whitney Jaynes sent a beautiful cross from the left side and Jaynes sent it just inside the far post at 59:19. Gilbert made it 4-0 when she converted a penalty kick at 66:04 to the right side.
Five minutes later, Brook converted her second goal of the night at 71:46. Off a pass from Hart, she sent a ball from the left side from 30 yards that bent just inside the far post. The Longhorns added their final tally at 86:07 off an own goal that deflected in off the Islanders defense.
The Islanders are back in action on Sunday when they head to Houston to take on Rice. Game time is set for 1 p.m. For updates, be sure to follow the official Twitter account of Islanders Soccer (@IslandersSoccer).
