Fall 2014 Off To A Promising Start
Thursday Aug, 28 2014
The HT Lady Rams Soccer team has endured a very busy first two weeks of their 2014 Fall Season. With 15 new players on the roster, Head Coach Andy Tunnicliffe assisted by Haley Carter are very excited about the prospect of surpassing last year’s accomplishments of reaching the RRAC Tournament.
Saturday Aug 16th vs NCAA D1 Texas Southern University (HT 1-8 TSU)
HT could not have had a tougher start to preseason with the visit of NCAA D1 TSU. For 70 minutes the Lady Rams held their own despite going down by 2 goals come half time. Victoria Elizalde raced through to pull the game back to 2-1 after rounding the GK and then almost leveled the game minutes later but unfortunately hit her shot wide. The game then got away from HT as fitness told. TSU ran away with the game and it finished 8-1.
Saturday August 23rd vs NCAA D3 University of Mary Hardin Baylor
(UMHB 2-1 HT)
Another tough challenge versus the strong UMHB who always compete for their conference title. HT took the lead with a dipping free-kick from Cristina Montealvo. UMHB hit back in similar style before the break and then stole the lead in the second half with a far post header. The game finished 2-1, but this was a real show of promise from our team who were very unlucky to lose this game. Kimberlin Palacios smashed a shot against the post and Montealvo blazed over the bar in the last 5 minutes looking for the equalizer.
Wednesday Aug 27th vs NCAA D1 UT Pan American (UTPA 2 – 1 HT)
This game will go down as the Lady Rams finest ever performance. UTPA will be competing in the NCAA D1 WAC this coming season and it is testament to HT Lady Rams that they traveled to Edinburg and not only competed, but almost came away with a tie against this strong, athletic and skillful UTPA team. The first half was very one sided and UTPA took a two goal lead with some scrappy goals from crosses, using their aerial dominance. The second half was a different story all together.
A spirited HT set about the game in an aggressive and methodical manner. Using their speed up front with Elizalde and Palacios to catch UTPA on the break. Outstanding defensive performances from Dominguez and Garcia in the heart of the back 4 kept UTPA at bay. Then came HT’s moment. Great work from Montealvo, Erica Ramos and Sabrina Gomez set up freshman Morgan Seeliger who slid the ball past the keeper and in off the post to make it 2-1. Just before the end, HT almost snatched a late leveler when Kimberlin Palacios raced down the wing and touch the ball past the on rushing keeper. A remarkable recovery from the keeper blocked what was going to be a certain goal. Despite the defeat, this performance was perfect and a real indication that this group are heading in the right direction.
