The MSU women’s soccer team kicked off the 2006 season losing some heartbreaking matches this weekend, falling to Sam Houston State 1-0 in double overtime on Friday and to Rice 3-2 on Sunday.
The Friday letdown was the first season-opening loss in seven years.
The Lady Dogs started the match with five fouls.
However, the defense was held tough and did not allow any scoring opportunities.
Twenty minutes into the match MSU started mounting an offensive attack but was unable to convert, taking 10 shots compared to Sam Houston State’s seven.
Melissa Sauceda, the goalkeeper for the Bearkats, saved nine shots.
The second half was a defensive struggle as well, with either team being able to capitalize on their opportunities. MSU took more shots and could not turn any of them into goals.
The defense stood just as strong, allowing Sam Houston only five shots in the entire half with three being saved by Taryn Holland, making her first career start.
One minute into the second overtime, the only yellow card issued led to the game-winning goal.
Mariclaire Fancher was hit with the yellow card in the 100th minute, and Yoanna Garcia’s header from Raquel Bueno’s corner kick scored the game-ending goal in the 101st minute.
Sunday the team traveled to Houston to wrap up the Texas road trip to take on Rice.
MSU had a two-goal lead and was one player up but still managed to let the lead slip away, falling 3-2 to the Owls.
“The team did a great job, and I’m sure if I can even remember any other game like today,” Rice head coach Chris Huston said.
“Coming back from 1-0 is tough, from 2-0 is even tougher and coming back two goals while you’re a player short is just sensational,” Huston added.
The Lady Bulldogs head to North Carolina to take on Charlotte on Friday and Gardner-Webb on Sunday.