Women’s soccer taking charge - The Rider Newspaper

Texans sophomore defender Paisley Mabra fights for the ball against Vaqueros sophomore midfielder Rubi Ortiz during the game versus Tarleton State University Aug. 14 at the UTRGV Soccer and Track & Field Complex on the Edinburg campus.
PHOTO COURTESY UTRGV ATHLETICS

Beginning the season with a bumpy start, the UTRGV Women’s Soccer Team is looking to make a comeback with conference starting soon.

The Vaqueros (2-3) won Thursday’s game against Texas A&M-San Antonio (0-3) 10-0.

The team had last fallen to the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns (3-3) 0-2 on Aug. 28.

Acting head coach Audra Larson said she is happy with how defensively the team has been playing.

“The challenge for this group is going to be to make sure that we can finish the full 90 minutes,” Larson said. “For us, I thought we had really good opportunities in that game. We did create chances to score; this team is more than capable of doing that.”

She said they are going through growing pains as of now. However, it is a matter of building the relationships with the new and young players.

Junior goalkeeper Emilia Compian plays against Rice University Aug. 17 at the UTRGV Soccer and Track & Field Complex on the Edinburg campus.
PHOTO COURTESY OF UTRGV ATHLETICS

Redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Emilia Compian marked a total of three saves during the match and said the backline stood out and feels that they are strong.

“I think we can learn about playing with each other just a little bit more and getting the final result in the final third and just finishing those opportunities,” Compian said.

She said she has strong communication with graduate defender Abbie Bailey.

“[The defenders] don’t want the ball to get to me and, when it does … I put myself on the line for them; it’s a good dynamic,” Compian said.

Compian said the coaches tell the players to keep believing in themselves and their success and things will click in place.

Bailey was named Southland Conference Defensive Player of the Week on Aug. 26 after playing the full 90-minute match against Prairie View A&M University.

“We are very confident that we can definitely bring something to the Southland Conference so just making sure we stick together and work together as a team, and I think we will go really far this year,” Bailey said.

Junior defender Yiselle Bernal plays against Tarleton State University Aug. 14 at the UTRGV Soccer and Track & Field Complex on the Edinburg campus.
PHOTO COURTESY UTRGV ATHLETICS

Junior midfielder Linnea Eld racked up three shots on goal against the Ragin’ Cajuns but fell short.

“I would say that we are starting to create more and more chances every game; last game we got more shots on goal,” Eld said. “I think we just need that first one to get it because, when it starts, it kind of just rolls on each other. … I see a lot of goals in front of us.”

She said the coach told the team to keep fighting and to keep playing the game.

“The coaches have been telling us to keep fighting, keep playing our game, not start playing like the opposite team and eventually we will get the goals,” Eld said. “We just need to want the goals and keep fighting for them.”

Larson said the team message this year is playing for head coach Mark Foster, who is on medical leave of absence after the pre-season.

“We have something bigger to play for this year,” she said. “They are always thinking about him. … The relationship is still there, and it’s something that the girls look forward to.”

The Vaqueros played at home Sunday against Texas Lutheran. As of press time Friday, the score is unavailable.