Bobcats drop season opener to Rice, host UTSA Thursday

Texas State dropped their season opening game as the Bobcats lost to the Rice Owls 2-1.

Despite the loss, Head Coach Steven Holeman was still proud of his team and noted how games against tough competition will make the Bobcats better as the season goes on.

“I thought this was a really competitive game tonight,” Holeman said. “Rice is a quality opponent, and I’m confident they are going to do very well this year. It’s tough to lose on an own-goal, but I thought we did well to fight back and create chances until the very end. These are the games that are going to make us better moving forward.”

The first half was defensive and competitive with neither team being able to find the back of the net.

Despite Rice being able to get eight shots off, Bobcat goalkeeper Katelyn Chrisman made three saves to keep the Owls off the scoreboard.

In the second, the Owls broke the deadlock by scoring a goal in the 58th minute to take a 1-0 lead.

Rice added on another goal in the 67th minute when the Bobcats scored an own goal, allowing the Owls to go up 2-0.

Texas State finally broke through the Rice defense when senior defender Anna Dunch scored her first career goal in the 88th minute to make it a 2-1 game. The senior scored from outside the box with the ball finding its home in the left corner of the net and sailing past the goalkeeper.

Though the Bobcats avoided the shutout, Texas State was unable to make the comeback and lost 2-1.

The Bobcats will be back in San Marcos Thursday night for the home opener as Texas State battles UTSA. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

cmcwilliams @sanmarcosrecord.com Twitter: @ColtonBMc