HOUSTON – The Rice freshman duo of Holly Hargreaves and Lauren Hughes both scored goals to lead the Owls soccer team to a 2-1 victory over visiting Texas State Sunday night at the Rice Soccer Stadium.

 

Rice held a comfortable 11-0 advantage in shots in the first half. It was a one-sided race in shots in the early-going, but with no goals to show for all the offensive opportunities the Owls were hungry for a breakthrough score. Finally, in the 31st minute, Hargreaves fired a close-range shot attempt after a corner kick by senior Alex Burton. The freshman from New Hope, Pa., found the back of the net to give the Owls a 1-0 lead with her team-leading third goal of the season.

 

“The first half I thought we did a really good job,” said Rice head coach Nicky Adams. “We held possession of the ball and did a nice job of creating attacking opportunities. Holly got us on the board right before the half and that was a good way to go into the lockerroom.”

 

Texas State made adjustments and quickly tied the game in the second half. In the 48th minute, Bobcat midfielder Tori Hale headed-in a deflected corner kick from teammate Jourdan Brown for her first goal of the season and a new 1-1 game.

 

The contest did not stay tied very long. In the 50th minute senior Julia Barrow found Hughes with a long serve in traffic in front of the Bobcat goal. The freshman from Ottawa, Ontario, blasted a shot past the keeper on the left side for her second goal of the year as Rice reclaimed the lead, 2-1. Hughes’ score was officially just two minute and 20 seconds (2:20) after Texas State had tied the game - the eighth-fastest recovery-goal in the history of the Owls’ soccer program.

 

“The first half was an awesome start for the team, but Lauren’s goal really hyped everyone up,” Hargreaves said. “It was really important for us to come back with a win after Friday’s game. I think as a team we all wanted it really badly and worked really hard. We did jump offside at times, but I think the pieces are coming together and the whole team looked really sharp.

 

Rice finished an18-10 lead in shots for the entire game. The Hargreaves and Hughes duo shared the individual lead of four shots each. With fellow freshmen Danielle Spriggs and Jasmine Isokpunwu also in the starting lineup, Hargreaves has enjoyed having a role in the Blue & Gray’s 2012 youth movement. Freshmen have scored all five of the Owls’ goals in the team’s five games, with Hargreaves accounting for three. It’s a quick start, but Hargreaves has been equally quick at giving credit where she said it is due.

 

“It’s been fun,” Hargeaves surmised of her (and her freshmen teammates’) young college career. “The freshmen have done well, but we’ve had a lot of help. The upperclassmen have been so helpful, bringing us along. I think the whole team is picking each other up. That’s what has been the best part.”

 

Rice improved to 2-2-1 on the season. Texas State is now 2-3-1 overall. The Owls have wrapped-up a weekend homestand and are now back on the road for their next two games. The Blue & Gray next play at Stephen F. Austin on Sept. 7, followed by a road game at national power Oklahoma State on Sept. 9.