BRENHAM, Texas — The Blinn College women’s soccer team defeated Paris Junior College, 2-1, in the season opener at Rankin Field Friday.
“I thought they possessed the ball really well and created a lot of chances,” head coach Michael McBride said. “We went into double-digits with shots. Some of our early decisions in shot choice could have been better, but then we scored absolutely wonderful goals, so I am really pleased.”
With the win, the Buccaneers open the season with a 1-0 overall and conference record.
“The girls have been working so hard, and today they played well and worked through a lot of adversity,” assistant coach Alexandria Jackson said. “We were down a goal and for them to come back and get the win is a testament to the spirit of this team.”
The Buccaneers outshot the Dragons 12-2. Alyssa Gomez and Karson Funderburk each scored goals, while Morgan Winthrop and Jocelynn Lausell each recorded assists in the win.
“It was very exciting to win, and we worked really hard, so I think it was well-deserved,” Gomez said. “We dominated that whole game with possession, and I think finally scoring brought the intensity up and everyone attacked better. Everyone really picked each other up and we were mentally stronger at the end of the game, so I think that is what really helped us win.”
On defense, goalkeeper Hope Hillhouse played the entire 90 minutes and recorded four saves.
Paris took a 1-0 lead in the 12th minute after scoring on a free kick. However, the Buccaneers shutdown the Dragons in the second half, and rallied back for two goals.
Winthrop passed the ball off for Gomez to score Blinn’s first goal in the 60th minute to even the score. In the 86th minute, Lausell assisted Funderburk in scoring a goal for Blinn to take a 2-1 lead for good.
Next, the Buccaneers will compete against Northeast Texas Community College on Tuesday, April 6, at 5 p.m. at Rankin Field. The Blinn men’s team will take on No. 13 Northeast Texas at 7 p.m. to conclude the doubleheader.
Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 41 NJCAA national championships since 1987.
