The UMKC women’s soccer team beat the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros 1-0 on Friday night in Edinburg, Texas in Western Athletic Conference play, thanks contributions from the entire team and 71st minute goal from freshman Kelsey Mothershead.
Head coach Chris Cissell sent a new-look lineup out to start the match for the ‘Roos (9-5-1, 3-2-1 WAC) in hopes to change things up and get back to their winning ways after dropping a tough 2-1 battle last Sunday at Grand Canyon. The new look included a switch in formation and giving freshman midfielder Carly Janike her first-career start.
The ‘Roos struggled to get going in the first half, only taking four shots, but forced the UTRGV (2-10-3, 0-5-0 WAC) goalkeeper to make three saves. Defensively, UMKC allowed just three shots, one on-goal that was saved from freshman goalkeeper Anna Lillig, making her third-career start.
UMKC came out of intermission slow, but got rolling soon after and started to wear down the UTRGV defense. In the 71st minute, everything clicked for the ‘Roos when sophomore Kara Priest placed a gorgeous through-ball for Mothershead who beat a defender and the keeper for her fourth goal of the season and third in WAC play. The assist from Priest was her team-leading fourth of the year.
UMKC would go on to outshoot the Vaqueros 14-6 in the second half, but were unable to put another ball in the net. They relied on their stout defense and put up their sixth shutout of the season, and Lillig’s first-career clean sheet.
The ‘Roos are back in action on Sunday when the face the New Mexico State Aggies in Las Cruces, New Mexico at 2 p.m. CT.