HOUSTON – The Prairie View A&M University soccer team fought hard, but ultimately dropped its season opener  5-0 to Houston Baptist Thursday night at Sorrels Field.

"As the season opener, this gave us a chance to see how our team did today, but also some of the areas that we as a team will need to work on," said head PVAMU soccer coach Sonia Curvelo.  "We dominated a lot in the middle play, we just have to increase our percentage in the third and take more shots on goal." 

The Huskies scored twice in the first half. The first score was off a penalty kick 30 minutes into the match and the second came nearly five minutes later. Houston Baptist scored three more goals in the second half of play, with one at the 57th minute mark, before adding scores at the 72nd and 76th minute to secure the match.

Though the Lady Panthers had a few looks, they were out shot 14-7, with Houston Baptist putting nine tries on goal compared to four by Prairie View A&M.

"When you go against any team, especially the teams in the conference you only get so many chances and you have to make sure you put those away," Curvelo said.  "At the end of the day we are still building. We have a lot of new players and it's a new philosophy that they have to continue to grow with. Obviously is a disappointing loss for us, because I don't feel like it was a 5-0 true loss."

After sitting out a season, junior goalkeeper Alexis Espino returned, collecting four saves in 90 minutes of play. Sophomore Kaelyn Carnahan led the team with three shots and two on goal.  Diana Neff, Ashley Chala, Sonia Feuntes and Jenesis Vasquez each had one shot apiece. Fuentes and Vasquez each took a shot on the goal.

The Lady Panthers will return to action on Sunday, August 25 when they play Texas State in San Marcos at 1 p.m. CT.

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