A 3-1 loss to the Missouri Tigers has an already struggling Texas women’s soccer team searching for more answers.
Texas head coach Ange Kelly knew this season would be full of growing pains, having to replace so much production from last season. But the start of Southeastern Conference play provided the Longhorns with a clean slate.
However, after tonight’s performance, it’s evident that this team has a long way to go.
From start to finish, the game was sloppy. Opening the game, the Longhorns struggled to string together more than one pass, misplacing some that they usually complete in their sleep. Because of this, Texas couldn’t keep control of the ball and didn’t record its first shot until the 31st minute of the match.
Missouri wasn’t playing much better, but an eager shot from junior midfielder Olivia Chianelli, taking a wild deflection off her teammate, was all the Tigers needed to take a one-goal lead into the break.
The lack of control Texas had led to numerous long-ball attempts, but few of those turned into anything successful. The Longhorns were out of ideas, creativity-wise.
So, in the 55th minute, Kelly went to the bench for the first time, looking for some kind of spark. Thirty seconds later, Missouri netted its second goal with junior forward Brianna Buels beating senior defender Breana Thompson on a back-post cross, tapping it in for an easy goal.
But the Longhorns were not done quite yet, as a long ball finally found the feet of freshman forward Ava McDonald. Her first shot was cleared off the line, but after falling back to her, McDonald buried her second attempt in the back of the net.
Finally, a jolt of energy for the Longhorns. Maybe, just maybe, the start of a comeback.
But that’s just not how the season has gone for Texas.
Approximately two minutes later, Missouri crushed those hopes when sophomore forward Emily Derucki clinically guided a header past freshman goalie Mateya Dessieux to ice the game. Like many times this season, the Longhorns lost their momentum in a snap.
The full-time whistle blew, and an elated Missouri Tigers team celebrated on their home field after opening conference play with a win, while the Longhorns walked back to the locker room after another discouraging performance.
This season was never going to be easy for Texas, but it wasn’t supposed to be this hard either. The Longhorns have the talent, but the chemistry and cohesiveness are not there yet, and you can see it all over the pitch. But one thing is for sure: Ange Kelly is not giving up on her squad.
She’s emphasized throughout the season how young her team is and its limitless potential. Time is running out, but Kelly has nine games to get Texas clicking, plenty of time for a coach who’s made a career out of winning soccer games.
The Longhorns will try to start their resurgence next Thursday against Mississippi State in their SEC home opener.
