Rams Make It 4 RRAC Back to Back Wins!
Monday Oct, 20 2014
UNIVERSITY OF THE SOUTHWEST 2-3 HT LADY RAMS (RRAC)
After the victory vs Jarvis Christian College, the Lady Rams headed to Hobbs New Mexico to face last seasons’ beaten semi-finalist University of the Southwest looking for their second victory on the road this past weekend.
An early morning kick off in brisk temperatures added to the strange conditions but it did not affect the way HT approached the game. The Lady Rams completely dominated the first 45 minutes by winning 50:50 challenges, headers and tackles all over the field. It was not long before their pressure told and a goal came. It was forward Stephanie Sarceno who collected a through ball before touching it past a defender to hit a right footed shot into the bottom corner and give HT a deserved lead. This was Sarceno’s first collegiate goal.
Shortly after, another through ball sent Kimberlin Palacios in on goal and she made no mistake in making it 2-0 when she too found the bottom corner with a right foot finish. Palacios, a freshman, now has 8 goals for the season.
HT did not let up there. A typical drive through the USW defense from Victoria Elizalde created an opening for a shot that rebounded back to her so she could bundle the ball over the line for 3-0 HT. Elizalde now has 7 goals for the season.
This was as good a performance as any this season, taking USW by surprise. The second half saw an excellent response from the home team. They pressured and pressured to get back in the game and with just 15 minutes to go they got their reward from close range to make it 3-1. Then, just 2 minutes from full time they found a second from a header to make it 3-2, but it was too little too late. The Lady Rams deserved their victory and are now 3-1 in conference. An excellent weekend for the girls!
HT LADY RAMS 3-0 TEXAS COLLEGE (RRAC)
This was a very one sided contest in which HT showed their qualities by creating chance after chance versus Texas College who struggled to cope with HT’s athleticism and skill. There were some excellent displays throughout the team including a welcome clean sheet for GK Ambar Hernandez.
A great first half strike from forward Victoria Elizalde put HT 1-0 up at half time. Elizalde controlled the ball inside the box before lashing a right footed effort into the top corner of the net giving the TC keeper no chance at all.
Second half goals came from Kimberlin Palacios who struck from 20 yards out with a right footed effort that dropped into the top corner of the net to make it 2-0. Elizalde wrapped up the game for HT with another typical thumping finish from close range to make it 3-0.
HT LADY RAMS 3-1 BACONE COLLEGE (RRAC)
This was a really tough game for HT who were looking for their 4th straight RRAC victory. Bacone came to Austin very organized and competitive and despite having the lions’ share of possession, HT just could not take their chances in the first half. 0-0 at the break.
The second half saw Ht spring into life and it was captain Erica Ramos who stepped up to take a penalty kick only to see the keeper make a great save. Ramos was alert and alive enough to gobble up the rebound at the second attempt and put the Rams 1-0 in the lead. After that it was one way traffic. Forward Kimberlin Palacios was menacing throughout and she fed of a defensive mistake before flicking the ball into the net from inside the 6 yard box to make it 2-0. Shortly after, Palacios latched onto a through ball before lashing a shot in off the underside of the cross-bar to make it 3-0 HT.
A late rally from Bacone saw them get a consolation goal but it was too little too late. The Rams have now been lifted to 2nd in the RRAC with 3 to play.
Next up for the Rams is a home game versus the University of St. Thomas – Houston on Thursday Oct 23rd, 1:00pm KO @ Whitaker Field #10. Please come out and support the Lady Rams!
