The Blinn College women’s soccer team used two second-half goals and lockdown defense to upset No. 14 Angelina College 2-0 in a Region 14 match Friday at Rankin Field in Brenham, Texas.
The Buccaneers improved to 7-3-2 overall, 5-3-2 in the region standings, and avenged a Sept. 19 road loss to the Roadrunners.
“Our motto all year has been “Seed. Time. Harvest.” which is about trusting the process and staying committed to our goals even when things don’t go our way,” Blinn head coach Alexandria Jackson said. “Tonight, the girls showed unbelievable grit and mental strength. We’ve faced a lot of adversity this season, but they continue to show up, stay true to the process, and tonight it paid off. I’ve never been prouder of a team.”
The Bucs have won three consecutive matches โ including back-to-back region tilts โ and are tied for second place behind Angelina in the Region 14 South division standings.
A defensive stalemate in the first half gave way to Blinn’s offensive fireworks after the intermission.
The Bucs took the lead for good in the 48th minute when a Blinn corner kick devolved into a scramble for the ball. As Angelina attempted to clear the ball from its box, sophomore defender ย deflected a kick, gathered the rebound and slipped a quick shot past three Roadrunner defenders. Freshman midfielderย Saya Shiratsukiย provided the assist on the goal.
Following Rodriguez’s go-ahead tally, a defensive battle resumed until sophomore midfielderย Marguerite Funkย secured the result with an insurance goal in the 89th minute. Freshman midfielderย Chloey Mejiaย was credited with the assist off a free kick.
Blinn finished with nine shots.
Freshman goalkeeperย Haidlyn Hawkinsย made seven saves to preserve the shutout and improved to 3-3-2 on the year.
Up next for the Bucs is a region home bout against Louisiana State University-Eunice at 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 17. Blinn was originally
scheduled for a non-region road trip to Hill College on Oct. 14, but the match has been canceled.
Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 53ย national championships since 1987.
