SMU W-Soccer Ties Houston 2-2 in Conference Opener

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HOUSTON (SMU) – Kenzie Scovill and Rikki Clarke scored second half goals to give SMU a 2-2 tie against the Houston Cougars in the Mustangs’ first Conference USA game of the 2012 season at Robertson Stadium in Houston on Friday night.

The draw brings SMU’s record to 4-4-1 (0-0-1 C-USA). The Mustangs are now 10-1-2 all-time against the Cougars.

SMU did not get off to a great start, allowing a goal in the 15th minute. Houston senior Katelyn Rhodes took a nice strike from outside the box and placed the ball just out of reach of Mustangs goalkeeper Lauryn Bodden.

“That really set the tone,” SMU Head Coach Chris Petrucelli said of Houston’s early goal. “We were battling from behind the whole time.”

Kenzie Scovill tied the game up immediately after halftime, her fifth goal of the season. But just two minutes later, Houston earned a penalty kick that was taken by Jasmine Martinez. She found the back of the net and the Cougars were again up by a goal.

SMU would answer back in two minutes themselves, with Rikki Clarke being on the end of a nice string of passes that led toCourtney Smith finding Clarke in the box. The sophomore found pay dirt for the first time this season from six yards out, tying the game at 2-2. The score remained deadlocked, with Shelby Redman having the best chance to put the Mustangs up front, when her shot went high in the 98th minute off of a Mallory Baum corner kick.

SMU continues C-USA play on Sunday at Rice at 1 p.m. Petrucelli knows that his team will have to avoid another slow start in order to find the result they desire against the Owls.

“We’re going to have to start well,” Petrucelli said. “It’ll be the same kind of game. It’ll be close.”