After a 6-3 goal fest in Dallas vs SMU on Thursday, Texas soccer returned to Austin to face Iowa on Sunday. In their first time playing each other on the soccer field in program history, the Hawkeyes kept the Longhorn attack quiet as the game ended 0-0.
“Obviously, we want a result, but I want to credit Iowa. They were very well organized and very well coached,” head coach Angela Kelly said.
From the opening whistle, Iowa was looking to press the Longhorns to ensure they didn’t have time on the ball. With nine players on the halfway line, Iowa kicked it off by booting the ball to Texas’ half of the field. Six of the nine players immediately rushed the Longhorns, setting the tone for a cagey affair.
In the first half, there was no clear team dominating the field. The possession was split with Texas having possession 53% of the time. The number of yellow jerseys surrounding the Texas midfield made Iowa’s press for possession evident.
At times, senior midfielders Lexi Missimo and Jilly Shimkin were seen with three or four players around them. The Longhorns could not maintain the ball in the center of the pitch, leading Kelly to make changes to start finding opportunities near the touchline.
“I think we got to move the ball and the space was on the width,” Kelly said. “That’s where we have to continue to play, spread the ball around and utilize the width. Then, good things can happen.”
Kelly brought on freshman forward Amalia Villarreal in the 28th minute for Shimkin. Villarreal immediately started to find her footing in the game. Despite her small stature, standing at five-foot-two, she found pockets of space and did not hesitate to take on defenders.
In 16 minutes of first half action, Villarreal spun around multiple Cyclones, leading to her starting the second half. Kelly’s decision to keep the freshman on the field almost paid off when Villarreal beat her defender right off the kickoff and sent a cross in.
Villarreal’s play on the field brought a spark to her teammates, but the Longhorns could not capitalize on their opportunities.
In the 55th minute, Shimkin passed to senior forward Trinity Byars who found herself in a 1v1 vs Iowa’s goalkeeper, Macy Enneking. Byars’ shot missed, shooting off-target and squandering one of the teams’ best chances.
This off-target shot was one of 11 shots that were shot outside the frame of the goal. The Longhorns had 12 total shots in the second half, with Villarreal having the lone shot that would find the target, easily saved by Enneking in the 78th minute.
“We had quality looks and we had the ball in places that we wanted to have them,” Kelly said. “I think just a little bit more hunger on the final execution of a shot.”
Despite the tie, Texas remains unbeaten in its preseason with three wins and one tie. Texas’ next opponent, Central Michigan, will travel to Mike A. Myers Stadium on Sunday to take on the Longhorns.
