EDINBURG, Texas – Despite holding an advantage in shots on goal and corner kicks, the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi women's soccer program dropped a 2-0 decision to UTRGV on Friday at the UTRGV Soccer & Track Complex in the South Texas Showdown, presented by NavyArmy Community Credit Union.
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The showdown is a 12-sport competition between the two institutions. As a department, the Islanders lead the all-time series 4-1 and have won in back-to-back years. Friday marked the first match-up of the 2021-22 campaign.
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The Islanders (1-1) held a 7-6 edge in shots on goal and a 4-2 advantage in corner kicks, including 3-0 in the second half.
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Though, UTRGV struck early with a score in the fourth minute and tacked-on an insurance goal in the 85th minute.
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"We did not turn up first half, leading to us being 1-0 down and having to chase the game and go three in the back with eight minutes to go," said head coach
Craig Shaw. "Teams will punish you if you only play one half of a good game. This was a learning experience for our young team."
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Junior
Samantha Palomino, the reigning Southland Conference Offensive Player of the Week winner, led the team with three shots and all were on goal. Sophomore
Natalie Gonzalez recorded a pair of shots on goal.
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Also with shots in the game were junior
Emma Gibbs, sophomore
Emma Herrera and freshmen
Emma Crump,
Carmen Cervantez,
Megan Guy and
Storm Harris.
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In the back, junior
Alana Mangan, Herrera and Crump all logged 90 minutes. Herrera has played all 180 minutes this season.
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Sophomore
Kennedy Stelling made her first appearance of the year in net and blocked four saves.
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UTRGV's goal scorers were Anna Barkey and Shentatious Knox.
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A&M-Corpus Christi will return home Wednesday when it hosts UTSA at 7 p.m. at Dugan Stadium.
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