Women's Soccer Downed by Second Half Penalty

September 8, 2023

IRVING, Texas - The University of Dallas women's soccer team lost their non-conference match against Sul Ross State 1-0 on Friday.  They fall to 1-2 on the year.

On a sweltering Friday evening with temperatures well into the triple digits, both teams were visibly affected by the heat early into the match as fatigue hit much harder and faster than normal.  In the first half, this made for a relatively even back-and-forth match.  

The majority of the chances came in the opening 20 minutes.  Dallas enjoyed most of the possession in that timeframe, but Sul Ross were dangerous on the counter, forcing a pair of saves from Ella Charles in the span of 40 seconds just before the first hydration break.  

Though the Crusaders were still the better team in possession, they were only able to create one more meaningful chance in the first half: a solid effort by Haley Cline at the end of a brilliant run that sailed just wide of the post.  Sul Ross had one more opportunity and forced one more save out of Charles, the first half ending scoreless.

It was night and day in the second half for the Crusaders, as the game seemed to completely turn on its head after the Lobos scored what would be the only goal of the match on a penalty kick.  As fatigue continued to settle in, and desperation along with it, the Crusaders were a shell of themselves in the second half, failing to record a single shot.  

The penalty was the only blemish on what was an otherwise stellar combined goalkeeping performance by Charles and Alison Zilafro, who took over duties between the sticks in the second half.

Up Next

The Crusaders are back in action this Tuesday, as they will host East Texas Baptist.  Kick-off is scheduled for 6:00 pm.