Photo by Russell Marwitz/True To The Cru/russellmarwitz.com
BELTON-Ranked 15th in the nation, UMHB women’s soccer kept its perfect record intact on Thursday night, shutting out Ozarks in another dominant defensive performance. The Eagles were unable to record a single shot, while UMHB scored three times in the victory.
The Crusaders are now 12-0-0 this season, and, as mentioned Saturday, off to their best start in program history.
All three goals came in the second half of play, as the two teams went to halftime with the score knotted at 0-0. But 11 minutes into the second half, UMHB finally put a shot past Ozarks goalkeeper Melanie Glossup, who had three saves in the opening half. Jayme Dowell found the back of net in the 57th minute, with Ashley Vensel credited with the assist.
Dowell’s goal was recorded as the game-winner, as it was the only goal UMHB would need in securing the win. But The Cru did not stop there. Kennedy Harris scored in the 76th minute, and Kaitlynn Neill added a goal three minutes later on a shot that barely found its way into the net, further extending the advantage.
Match Notes
- This marked the final regular season match between UMHB and Ozarks as conference rivals, as Ozarks prepares to move into the SCAC next season. The Crusaders are now 19-2 against the Eagles all-time, and have won the last 15 meetings between the two programs.
- Kennedy Harris’ goal was her first of the season, as the junior defender had not scored since last year’s win over Sul Ross State on Oct. 6, 2022. Harris also has three assists this season.
- With her goal in the 79th minute, Kaitlynn Neill scored for the first time in her collegiate career. The freshman from Frisco had taken just four shots prior to Thursday’s match.
- Maren Fields was the lone Crusader who played all 90 minutes, marking her fifth complete game performance of the season.
- UMHB took 34 shots in the win, the second-most in match this season next to the 48-shot performance recorded on the opening weekend against St. Scholastica. The Cru stayed aggressive and held possession in Ozarks territory for the majority of the match.
- In limiting Ozarks to zero shots, it was the first time an opponent did not record a shot against UMHB since Sept. 16, 2022, when the Crusaders blanked Hendrix, 1-0. UMHB has allowed just two goals in 12 matches this season.
Up Next
UMHB faces one of the nation’s best defensive teams, UT-Dallas, on Saturday at 5 p.m. in Belton. The Comets are 8-0-3 this season.
