Box Score Las Vegas – The Texas A&M-Corpus Christi women's soccer team fell 3-1 to Southern Utah on Sunday afternoon in its second game of the Las Vegas Invitational, hosted by UNLV. Hailey Sutton scored the lone goal for the Islanders in the defeat.
"This was a disappointing effort," head coach Shanna Caldwell said after the match. "We have to show up for 90 minutes, that's the bottom line. We can't play well for 70 minutes and then stop fighting.
"We know that the changes have to come from within, no excuses," she added. "Rice will be focused and ready to go, and we will have to match that intensity. We are looking forward to playing at home in front of what is always a great crowd. We are looking forward to having the students, community, and Blue Crew cheering us on as we fight for them."
The Islanders faced a heavy attack from the Thunderbirds in the first half. Goalkeeper Megan Delaney was called on to make all of her seven saves in the first period, while Kallyn Redona managed the only shot for A&M-Corpus Christi. The teams entered the halftime break tied 0-0.
Southern Utah was awarded a penalty kick in the 55th minute. Ally Thimsen converted her kick from the penalty spot past Delaney for a 1-0 lead.
A&M-Corpus Christi pulled level in the 66th minute, when Zoe Cole's pass to an open Sutton set up the Red Oak, Texas, native for a shot that deflected off a Southern Utah player into the net for her first goal of the season.
Southern Utah broke the deadlock in the 78th minute, as Paige Robbins slipped past the Islanders backline to score on the breakaway. As time ticked toward the final minutes, the Islanders sent extra players forward in an effort to score and tie the match. The Thunderbirds caught the A&M-Corpus Christi on the break, setting up Thimsen's second goal of the match from a Paige Robins cross in the 89th.
Sutton led the way for the Islanders offensively with four shots, two on goal, including her one goal.
The Islanders return to the Coastal Bend next Friday for the home opener against Rice at 7:00 p.m. Season and single-game tickets are available through Ticket Return that can be found at GoIslanders.com/Tickets.
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