HOUSTON – The Rice soccer team rallied in the 88th minute to tie the match, but undefeated Pac-12 power Oregon State slipped past the Owls for a 2-1 win in overtime Sunday evening at Holloway Field in Houston.

Rice battled Oregon State to a scoreless first half, but the Beavers were able to break the 0-0 deadlock in the 56th minute. Both sides swarmed in front of the goal after a long throw-in from the left sideline and OSU's Sydney Studer found the back of the Owl net for her second goal of the season and a 1-0 lead.

The Owls continued to battle, and by fighting to end found a deserved reward. In the game's 88th minute Owl sophomore Delaney Schultz launched a rocket shot from the right wing that was just above the leaping OSU keeper. Schultz' match-leading fifth shot of the night hit off the crossbar.

It was an unfortunate near miss for Schultz, but she and her team were still in the fight. The ball bounded back in play in front of the keeper's box where senior forward Louise Stephens corralled the carom and drove the ball home for her third goal of the season to share the team lead. It was also only the second goal OSU has allowed in seven games so far this year.

A the match moved toward the end of the first overtime Rice looked like it might be dialing in some déjà vu. After a foul in the 93rd minute, junior Mijke Roelfsema laced shot which again hit off the crossbar. This time, however, the Beavers were ready and navigated away from danger.

In the 99th minute, Oregon State pushed across game winner score after a breakaway for the 2-1 decision in overtime. The Beavers improved to 7-0-0 overall. Rice is now 3-4-0 on the season.

For the match Oregon State held a 15-12 advantage in shots, but Rice led in corner kicks 7-3. in both corner kicks and shots-on-goal. Sophomore Rice goalkeeper Bella Killgore finished the match with four saves. More good news for the Owls was that junior midfielder Lianne Mananquil was able to make her first start since getting sidelined on August 25 vs. Houston. The 2018 C-USA Midfielder of the Year was sound and solid playing a season-long 92 minutes.

The Owls two more home matches remaining in the current homestand. Rice next hosts crosstown foe Texas Southern at 7 pm on Wednesday (Sept. 18) at Holloway Field to close out the non-conference portion of the schedule. The Blue & Gray then open Conference USA league play on Sept. 22 vs. Charlotte.

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