Aug. 23, 2015
Houston, Texas --- The San Jose State women's soccer team took a 1-1 tie into double-overtime at Rice on Sunday afternoon, but a goal allowed in the 107th minute handed the Spartans a 2-1 loss to the reigning Conference-USA Tournament champion.
Rice's Lauren Hughes put in the golden goal, ending the marathon match played in the Texas heat upwards of 100 degrees for the entire duration.
"This was a hard loss for the team," said San Jose State head coach Lauren Hanson. "It was a really hard fought match. Our players worked hard all summer to get fit for matches like this. They competed the entire time and played great soccer."
Maricruz Chapa's first goal of the season gave the Spartans a 1-0 lead in the 21st minute, and San Jose State took the lead into halftime.
The SJSU defense smothered Rice for most of the second half. Seemingly every time the Owls entered into the Spartan's third, a pass would be carved out and sent back to the other side.
But in the 81st minute Rice's Jasmine Isokpunwu got her foot on the ball in a scrum near the front of the goal, and put an equalizer in the back of the net.
The two teams went back-and-forth the remaining eight minutes of regulation and both overtime periods, until the eventual game-winner was scored.
"You have to put teams like this away early," Hanson said. "I think it was a great stride forward for this team, but a learning experience as well about needing to put teams away early."
San Jose State returns from Texas with a 1-1-0 record after defeating Lamar Friday night. Rice, the preseason C-USA favorites, avoided an 0-2 start with the win.
The Spartans' next match will be August 28, at UC Santa Barbara. The Friday night contest is set to begin at 5:00 pm. PT.