HOUSTON – Sam Houston State was on the defensive early, as Conference USA favorite Rice pushed across a pair of first half goals within a minute of each other in the 40^th and 41^st minute to down the Bearkats 2-0 at BBVA Compass Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The Owls (3-1) had 17 first-half shots and six corner kicks while the Kats (2-2) managed five shots and no corners in the opening 45. Despite the scoreless effort, Sam Houston had its chances, something eighth-year head coach Tom Brown was encouraged by.

“This weekend we haven’t scored but with both games we created chances,” Brown said. “I’d be a lot more worried if we weren’t able to get into the final third. Over the longevity of time, the chances are going to fall. Last year, with this team we really didn’t have a good non-conference season but once we got into conference we exploded.”

Rice’s Lauren Hughes notched her third goal of the season on a cross from the right side courtesy of Annie Walker, putting the Owls ahead 1-0. One minute later, Hughes was back in the action, shooting a cross from the left side into Nia Stallings, who put in for her first goal.

“Every game is teaching us something,” Brown said. “Rice is a team that is expected to win Conference USA and be in the NCAAs so they put us under a lot of pressure and that’s what we need to work on things as we prepare for Baylor. That’s what it’s about for us is building towards conference.”

The Bearkats best opportunity came in the 73^rd minute after the Owls’ committed a penalty in the box on a corner. Senior Mariah Titus attempted to clear the right-side post but did not hit it wide enough and goalkeeper Zoe Pochobradsky made a diving stop. It was one of two saves necessary in the net.

“Rice definitely gave us a run for our money and we still have some kinks to work out before conference but we have time to do that,” Titus said. “We had several opportunities, and those are the things we’ve been working on in practice. With these harder matches, they give us 110 percent.”

Sam Houston senior keeper Kylie Hambleton made five saves on the afternoon, holding Rice in check outside the pair of netters in minute timespan. Defensively, the Kats cut Rice’s opportunities in half during the second half, limiting the Owls to eight shots in the final 45.

“I thought we had a better second half,” Brown said. “I thought we did not play well the last 15 minutes of the first half. I think once we gave up that first goal, our heads were down then we allowed the second goal. I was proud once we were able to get in and be re-focused – we created opportunities.”

Ultimately, the Kats believe the environment of playing in a first-class facility against a contender like Rice will pay dividends as the squad readies for league play and tougher atmospheres that would present themselves in finals play.

“It’s definitely a huge honor and great opportunity to play here,” Titus said. “It gave us the scenery that you would find in a conference championship. This is the kind of the pressure we needed to go forward.”

The Bearkats return home on Friday, welcoming Baylor for a 7 p.m. match from Pritchett Field. For the latest on Sam Houston soccer, follow @SHSUSoccer on Twitter or visit GoBearkats.com.