Islanders Drop Double-OT Decision at UTRGV

Edinburg, Texas - Texas A&M-Corpus Christi faced their first extra-time challenge of the season at UTRGV this Sunday, coming up short in a 1-0 final on the road. The Islanders' loss gives the Vaqueros a 1-0 lead in the 2017 South Texas Showdown, as the Blue and Green has gone 1-3-1 in overtime over the past two years. 

The Vaqueros took numerous shots on goal through the opening 45 minutes, but a tight Islanders' defense kept all but one from challenging starting goalkeeper Abbie Flax. Abby Deakin accounted for Corpus Christi's first shot of the game, hitting her second attempt of the year to the right of the post. With both schools combining for just a single shot on net through the opening half the score would remain empty into the break. 

The Islanders would control the pace of play in the opening minutes of the second, as the visiting side drew four fouls and the first yellow card of the evening against UTRGV. The Blue and Green worked off of multiple free kicks and corners to accrue a pair of shots in the period, with the biggest opportunity coming in the 86th minute. Sophomore Madeleine Lozano's free kick from 30-yards deep looked destined to find the bottom right corner and to be the game winner, as the sophomore's strike drove and dove toward the lower-90. UTRGV's keeper was able to stretch for the diving save however, and the two squad's would extend the night's affair into extra minutes. 

Both contingencies earned chances in the first OT, with a cross from Emily Keoughan finding an open Brooke Erdmann on a backside cross. Erdmann's header would be softened on the way through however, and again the Vaqueros' keeper was able to come up with a save. 

The second overtime period would be a short one, as the Vaqueros scored in the 102nd minute. After what appeared to be a foul against the UTRGV squad, subverted into an advantage in numbers for the home team, and a one on one tally to end the evening at 1-0.

• Head Coach Craig Shaw started a season-high seven freshman against the Vaqueros, with midfielder Mariah Ramon getting her first career-start
• Lozano's and Erdmann's opportunities were their first shots of the season, as the pair is two of four Islanders to put all of their shots on target this season
• Abbie Flax turned in another five-save performance to put her total at 14 on the year, and place her fourth overall in the Southland Conference
• UTRGV turned in more fouls than Corpus Christi by a count of 15-9. The Islanders have drawn 10-plus fouls in all three of their matches to start 2017
• The Islanders can still have their best start to a season in program history with a positive decision against North Texas at home

COMING UP NEXT

The Islanders will open up their home schedule against North Texas this Friday at 7:30 PM, weather permitting. Corpus Christi has played the Mean Green just once, losing to the side in Denton last year. 

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