Daily Skiff

It didn't count for the team's record, but the women's soccer squad dominated in its first game of the spring, shutting out the Navarro College Bulldogs.

The team played three 45-minute periods Sunday, each starting at a score of 0-0. They didn't show any lack of competitiveness, winning all three periods, 5-0, 0-0 and 1-0 at Garvey-Rosenthal Soccer Stadium.

The Horned Frogs started out strong, scoring five goals in the first period. Freshman defender Katie Taylor scored the Horned Frogs' first goal on a free kick after her teammate, junior forward Lizzy Karoly, was fouled.

The offensive explosion continued with goals from Karoly, sophomore forward Jackie Torda and junior midfielder Michelle Nguyen. Freshman All-American Jordan Calhoun also contributed a goal as the first period drew to a close.

After a scoreless second period, Nguyen scored her second goal of the match midway through the third period after a precise pass from freshman midfielder Katie Runyon.

Head coach Dan Abdalla said the high scoring was a direct result of his players' executing well and getting a feel for one another.

"We did a good job of finding a bit of a rhythm," Abdalla said. "For our first match of the spring, that's what we really wanted to get out of this."

Abdalla said he was pleased with his team's performance, but they need to get sharper on the ball and focus on finishing.

Junior midfielder Kelly Faerber said the team took a good first step but they have work to do if they want to meet their ultimate goal.

"We had a great season last fall but we still have bigger and better goals such as winning the conference," Faerber said. "Practices and hard work we put in now will give us that extra edge next fall."

The team's next home match will be March 7 against the University of North Texas.

Editor's note: Lizzy Karoly is a staff reporter.

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