For only the second time this season, the No. 15 Texas women's soccer team failed to score first. And, for the second time, it made for a Texas loss.
Texas head coach Chris Petrucelli believed that in order to win, the Longhorn defense would have to shut down Portland's forward combo of Christine Sinclair and Lindsey Huie.
The backfield was successful for one half, holding the duo to zero shots. In the second half, the game plan broke down. Sinclair posted two goals on three shots while Huie also took three shots.
It took nearly 40 minutes of action before Portland's Natalie Budge broke the scoreless tie. Budge received a pass from Jennifer Tuttle and stuck a shot into the top right corner. The Pilots took the 1-0 lead into the second half, but Texas was quick to respond.
Only three minutes of the second half passed before Texas' Caitlin Kennedy tied the game. Kennedy took a shot from about 25 yards out and put it past Pilot goalie Cori Alexander.
The Longhorns did not hold the lead long. Texas was not able to silence Portland's leading goal scorer forever. Sinclair took a shot from inside the box but was stopped by Texas goal keeper Dana Hall. She recovered her own rebound, however, and put the game-winning goal past Hall from five yards out. Sinclair would later add an insurance goal after receiving another assist from Tuttle.
The Longhorn offense was held to 10 shots on the evening. Portland shot the ball 15 times.
With the loss, the Longhorns fall to 4-3 on the season and will remain on the road this weekend for its next two contests against Big 12 foes Texas Tech and Baylor.
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