A strong start and dominant finish from Rice were the downfall as Texas Southern soccer fell 5-2 on Friday evening.
Rice took control of the match with three early goals in the first half. On the defensive side, Texas Southern put in a valiant effort with freshman Alessandra Bastidas blocking two goal attempts.
The Tigers persevered and came back with a vengeance entering the second half with back-to-back goals within six minutes of each other by graduate student, Hajar Benjoud. Her first goal came when she blasted a 30-yard kick in the back of the net while faced by a wall of Owls. Benjoud's second goal came six minutes later with a trick shot landing at the bottom corner of the left hand side of the goalpost.
Freshmen Isabella Dillow and Rayal Henderson each had goal attempts while Alicia Audu had a total of six saves in the second half of the match.
The Tigers continue their non-conference home-leg Sunday, Aug. 27 as they take on St. Mary's at 6 p.m. inside Alexander Durley Stadium. Entrance is free and open to the public.
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