After falling to the No. 9 University of Texas Longhorns in its Friday opener, the soccer team was able to pull to .500 on the young season after downing Utah State Aggies on Sunday. During the 3-1 loss to the Longhorns in Austin, the team was able to muster 13 total shots with only five of them being on goal – only the number of Texas’ shots on goal.

Sophomore forward Lizzy Karoly and sophomore midfielder Michelle Nguyen tried getting the offense in gear, leading the team in shots and shots on goal with five and two, respectively. Freshman forward Jenna Hayes tallied the only goal and it came with less than four minutes remaining in the match to avoid the shutout.

Sophomore goalkeeper Kelsey Vross had her work cut out for her against a top-10 opponent, logging all 90 minutes in goal and making 12 saves.

For its home opener, the Horned Frogs got some good home cooking and reversed its fortunes, winning 3-1 against the Aggies.

Coming off a game that kept them from finding the back of the net, Karoly and Nguyen responded with a goal apiece in the first half. Freshman forward Jackie Torda tacked on another goal – the first of her career – to put the match away in the second half.

Vross got some help in goal following her complete game performance against Texas. Freshman Kelsey Walters split time with Vross and had five second-half saves.

The team will head back out onto the road as it travels to Houston Friday for a 7 p.m. match with the Rice University Owls.

Sports editor Tim Bella