Women's Soccer Drops A Tight Match with UMHB

IRVING, Texas - The Crusaders were narrowly defeated in their home opener this evening, dropping a tightly fought contest 1-0 to the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor.

UMHB dominated the opening minutes, spending much of their time in the attacking third. But it all seemed to be going according to plan for Dallas, because the back line was a veritable brick wall for much of the game.  Bekah Gonzalez and Kaitlyn Cline were the rocks in the center of a nigh impenetrable back line, and the Lady Crusaders of UMHB we're getting visibility frustrated with the lack of fruit for their efforts.

The Crusaders were threatening on the counter-attack at times and they got themselves into some dangerous areas, but UMHB were a bit better in possession of the ball. UMHB nearly put themselves in the lead early, a goalmouth scramble nearly ending in a goal call. But again, the Crusaders defense was up to the task, coming up with a pair of huge blocks inside their own six-yard box to keep the ball out of the back of the net.

Claire Reed had the best chance of the first half for the Crusaders when she took the ball off the foot of the Lady Crusaders centre-back. From just inside the box she had an open shot, but the would-be opening goal fizzled just wide of the net. Five minutes later, UD nearly put themselves on the board off another counter-attack. Monica O'Donnell had an open look on the right side of the arc at the top of the box, and her shot was destined for the bottom corner if not for a good save by the Mary Hardin keeper. The ensuing corner found the head of Olivia Grytza, but her effort nestled safely into the goalkeeper's hands.

The first half was fought to a stalemate, with UMHB seeming to have the slight edge.

UMHB finally found the breakthrough at the start of the second half, combining inside the box on a one-two to net the first goal of the game.  The next 42 minutes were largely uneventful, as both defenses had the game more or less on lockdown.  It wasn't until the final five minutes that the tone of the match shifted, as UD were mere inches away from tying the game and sending it to overtime.  Andrea Coppi found herself through on goal and past the keeper not even five yards out.  As she met the ball with the goal seemingly gaping, a UMHB defender came hurtling across the goal and blocked what could have been a tap-in goal.  The Crusaders carved out what was arguably the best chance of the game, but came up just short.  UMHB held on to win the match 1-0.

Up Next

The Crusaders are right back at it on Sunday, hosting Texas Lutheran University at 2:00 p.m.  No livestream will be available, and at this time the COVID-19 procedures set by the University of Dallas only allows for home fans in attendance.