Texas soccer’s losing season continues after a wild 4-2 defeat from Georgia.
The Longhorns’ defensive struggles were on full display again, increasing their goals conceded tally to 37, by far the worst in the Southeastern Conference. However, Texas was not defensively poor all game — they conceded goals in spurts, a common theme throughout its season.
It started in the 28th minute of the contest, when Georgia redshirt sophomore defender Virginia Odom scored after the Longhorns failed to clear the ball multiple times. After defending well for most of the first half, one lapse in concentration found Texas down one score.
The Bulldogs started to pick up the pressure afterward, but a failed back pass from their junior midfielder, Kiera Staude, played in Texas freshman forward Ava McDonald’s favor. From there, McDonald picked up the ball and calmly rounded the keeper to tie the game at one apiece.
From there, the game flipped on its head.
Less than a minute later, Georgia freshman forward Lily Kate Elphick scored an absolute screamer outside of the box to snatch back the lead. It looked like Georgia was going to take a 2-1 lead into the break, but McDonald had different plans.
With 18 seconds remaining in the half, McDonald one-upped Kate Elphick’s goal with one of her own from a distance, finding the top corner. It was her eighth goal and 11th goal contribution of the season.
The freshman freight train was going at full speed, trying to keep Texas’ season alive, but she couldn’t do it all on her own.
The Longhorns started the second half strong, dominating possession and applying pressure on the Bulldogs’ backline. But like the first half, it took just one moment for Georgia to regain its momentum.
That moment came in the 60th minute when an accidental shot from Elphick caught Texas freshman goalie Kendell Williams out of position, ultimately ending in the back of the net.
Georgia was now looking for an insurance goal, and it didn’t waste any time. Just over a minute later, redshirt junior midfielder Summer Denigan scored a goal that found the bottom corner after deflecting off a Texas defender.
Just like that, the Longhorns found themselves two goals down, all of their hard work gone in a flash.
The loss makes it all but certain that the Longhorns will miss the SEC Tournament. The scenario for them to qualify involves them winning both of their remaining games and a plethora of teams ahead dropping points in their remaining contests.
While the season might be over, Texas has two winnable games left on the schedule. With its young squad, a strong finish could be vital as it builds towards next season.
Texas returns to action on Sunday when it travels to Norman, Oklahoma, to play its archrivals in another edition of the Red River Rivalry.
