HOUSTON — With just 17 seconds remaining in overtime, senior Caleigh Page scored the first goal of her collegiate career to help lift the Rice Soccer team to a dramatic 3-2 victory over No. 12 ranked Texas A&M late Monday night at Holloway Field in Houston.
 
Scoring Story
For the third time in as many games, including last week's outings against North Texas and Houston, Rice fell behind 2-0 in the first half. The only wrinkle this time was that both Texas A&M goals were strikingly close together in the 31st minute. Just 13 seconds separated the Aggie scores by Macie Kolb and Taylor Ziemer for a 2-0 advantage.
 
Unlike the previous two games, however, Rice rallied for a goal just before halftime. With 18 seconds ticking down until the intermission, senior Haley Kostyshyn found a seam from the right side to serve Delaney Schultz by the six yard box. Schultz didn't have much time to settle and fire away on a shot that found the back of the Aggie net for her first goal of the season.
 
The late goal provided an emotional lift that seemed to carry into the second half where the Owls found an early but unlikely equalizer. Senior defender Mijke Roelfsema bringing the ball forward into the midfield from her spot on the Owl backline is common enough. The uncommon play this time was as Roelfsema dribbled the ball near the center circle she suddenly unleashed a surprise rocket shot attempt. The strike caught the defense off guard and the ball sailed into the upper corner of the Aggie net for a new 2-2 game.
 
Texas A&M continued to apply plenty offensive pressure with 14 second half shots, but Owl keeper Bella Killgore made four of her ten saves in the period to keep A&M off the board. Regulation expired with the score 2-2, sending Rice to its first overtime match of the year. The defenses held for the first nine and a half minutes of overtime and a second OT seemed to be a certainty, but as the clock ticked the ball bounded off an A&M defender across the left endline.
 
Rice hustled to organize a set piece as Schultz sprinted away to take corner. She served a line drive into traffic in front of the goal, where Page was able to separate and put the ball into the back of the net for the 'golden goal' victory.
 
For The Record
Rice improved to 5-2-0 overall. Texas A&M moved to 8-3-0 on the season.
 
Notes & Stats
• The win was the Owls' first over a Top 12 ranked program since beating No. 8 Texas at Holloway Field in 2006.
• The victory was Rice's first over Texas A&M in six meetings dating back to the start of the series in 2002.
• It was Rice's first win in overtime since defeating Florida Atlantic 1-0 in the 97th minute in 2016.
• Rice overcame a 2-0 deficit to win a match for the first time since rallying past Mississippi State 3-2 in 2006.
• Page's goal was her first as an Owl. The defender from California had taken only one other shot attempt all year.
• Roelfsema's goal was only her second as an Owl, but also her second in a week. She scored On March 7 taking a corner kick in the 82nd minute against North Texas.
• Goalkeeper Bella Killgore finished the night with a career-high ten saves. It's the most by an Owl keeper since 2010.
• Texas A&M held a 32-18 advantage in shots, and a 9-4 margin in corner kicks.
• The crowd was a season-high 250 that was limited due to Covid restrictions.

Next Up
After a two match hiatus vs. Texas A&M and Houston, the Owls return to Conference USA league play on Friday, March 19. Rice plays Louisiana Tech in Ruston, La., at 7 pm.

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