Women's soccer team falls to UNLV, still looks for a first win

By Jerome le Carrou

September 3, 2005 | Aggie sophomore Dana Peart scored her third goal of the season during the women's soccer team's 2-1 loss to the UNLV rebels Friday afternoon at Bell Field in Logan.

The Aggies fall to 0-1-4, while the Rebels improved to 2-0-1.

"The first half was bad, but the second half was really good," said Aggies coach Heather Cairns."We would have won the second half, but in soccer you play two halves."

The Rebels scored their two goals within the first 15 minutes of the first half. Aggie Alyssa Lowry lost the ball on the left side close to the Aggies' corner kick. Rebel Armani Rice crossed the ball to the Aggies' box, Aggie goalkeeper Kelli Allred missed the ball and Rebel Erica Jensen scored into the empty goal after 12:43.

The Aggies had a nice counterattack on their kickoff, but Charity Weston's shot was blocked by Rebel goalkeeper Ciera Nero.

The Aggies missed the opportunity to tie, and two minutes after their first goal, the Rebels scored a second one. Angie Inzana scored after a cross from the left side by Rice.

Once again, the Aggies' defensive play, especially on the left, showed some signs of weakness.

"We had some bad defensive errors, we've got to stop that nonsense," Cairns said. "It's not only the defenders but the whole team , we didn't put pressure on the top."

The Aggies outshout the Rebels 18-11, They had 10 shots during the second half, but Rebel goalkeeper Nero had a great game with seven saves.

Aggie Sierra Smith said, "She [Nero] did a great job. We had some pretty open shots but she saved a lot of them," Cairns said, "UNLV keeper is big, I told the girls they had to go low, but a lot of our scoring opportunities did go high."

The Aggies won the midfield battle during the second half by putting a lot of pressure on the Rebels, five minutes after the beginning of the second half, the Aggies found the net.

Smith sent a long cross from the right side, Rebels didn't defend well and gave the ball back to Smith who had a chance to cross it a second time, she found Peart unmarked at the far post, who easily scored a header.

Cairns said, " Sierra had a lot of composure on that goal, she was awesome."

After 23 minutes, Aggie Rachelle Dixon gave the ball to Charity Weston, who fired a shot, but Rebel Nero stopped it.

The Aggies had once again a great opportunity after a long throw by Peart with 13 minutes left, but the ball hit the post.

The Aggies tried everything to tie, but on a counter attack, they were lucky the Rebels didn't score their third goal. Aggie goalkeeper Lisa Willardson, who came from the bench at halftime, had a great save. She first pushed a cross out of the box, and then touched a new shot just enough to avoid a goal, the ball hit the post.

"Liza has been phenomenon; she played well," said Cairns.

The Aggies had a last chance with three minutes left, Aggie Abby Hunt, who led the Aggies with five shots, found herself alone in the Rebel's box after a great pass from Smith. She shot on the left side but Nero blocked it.

Cairns said they lost because of those breakdowns at the beginning, but she said their line up is not set yet. She said she was happy with the crosses they had during the second half. Cairns said they have been focusing a lot on that during the week of practice

"We have enough talent out there to win, Monday we are gonna get BYU," Cairns said.

The Aggies hit the road next week, facing BYU at 8 p.m. Monday.

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