HOUSTON - Colorado College scored the lone goal of the game in the second half to claim a 1-0 Conference USA win over the Rice soccer team Sunday afternoon at the Owls' Soccer Stadium in Houston.

Down but not out, Rice (7-2-1 in C-USA with a total of 22 points) still shares first place in the league standings with the same Tigers team the Owls faced Sunday. There is one more league game for both teams to be contested on Oct. 26 with Rice playing across town at the University of Houston and Colorado College playing on the road at UTEP.

"Colorado College came in and did what they wanted to, and dictated a lot of the game in areas that we had been really good at," said Rice head coach Nicky Adams. "I thought we were hot and cold possession-wise and were on our heels a little bit, which is surprising with what was on line today (the inside track to the C-USA regular season championship and top seed at the upcoming conference tournament).

Tigers' senior forward senior forward Brittney Lyman broke the 0-0 deadlock in the game's 66th minute. Lyman worked to get a clear shot past the Rice defense in front of the goal at the 18-yard line. The ball streaked hard and low to find the back of the Owl net inside the left post. The score was Lyman's fifth goal of season.

Rice held a 23-7 advantage in shot attempts and a 10-1 lead in corner kicks. The Rice trio of Julia Barrow, Holly Hargreaves and Hayley Williams all shared the game lead with four shots each. Colorado College goalkeeper helped preserve the shutout with four saves. The Tigers improved to 12-3-4 on the year. Rice is now 10-6-3 on the season overall.

"I thought we had some good individual efforts, but I do not think we played well as a team," coach Adams said. "We didn't play well together, and that was something we hadn't see all season."

The Owls' Sunday's game against Colorado College was Rice's final home game of the year and marked the last regular season home appearance for the team's five seniors. The Blue & Gray have one final road game on Oct. 26 across town at the University of Houston before playing in the C-USA Tournament beginning on Oct. 31. Rice has clinched one of the top three seeds for the C-USA Tournament.

"We now have to get back on track to play a rivalry-game this Friday," coach Adams said. "We have to be on the same page and play Rice soccer. There is a lot to play for, and it starts this Friday night."

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