We are playing a much more physical and aggressive type style in the second half.
And…. Vandy lofts their third goal into the net …on a contested breakaway,,,in the closing seconds of the game.
3-1 Vandy.
But the Owls gave them a tussle. Big time.

(08-27-2026 08:14 PM)greyowl72 Wrote:  We are playing a much more physical and aggressive type style in the second half.
And…. Vandy lofts their third goal into the net …on a contested breakaway,,,in the closing seconds of the game.
3-1 Vandy.
But the Owls gave them a tussle. Big time.

Yes, really strong second half after being dominated the first 30 minutes of the first half.

(08-27-2026 08:14 PM)greyowl72 Wrote:  We are playing a much more physical and aggressive type style in the second half.
And…. Vandy lofts their third goal into the net …on a contested breakaway,,,in the closing seconds of the game.
3-1 Vandy.
But the Owls gave them a tussle. Big time.

So the positive spin takeaway by Owl At The Moon (p/b Optimisic Owl) is:

Rice pulled to within a goal and stayed within one goal for each of the final 38 minutes of the game!

(Since we were within 1 for most of the final 90th minute)

It also sounds like we played Vandy much tougher than Memphis did (1-4) although the scores do look similar.

Our string of three straight games vs ranked teams tomorrow as Rice travels to #17 Texas State.

The Bobcats entered the national rankings for the first time ever last week (on the strength of wins vs TAMU and Baylor), and this week are up 4 spots. TxSt remains the top ranked team in the state even as 19.TCU and 22.Baylor re-enter the top 25.

Texas State has moved to the Pac conference this year, and many of their games (including tomorrow’s vs Rice) will be carried on YouTube. Here’s the link for our 7:30 game…

Link - https://www.youtube.com/@pac12 click on live

Goooooooooooooooool

Goooooooooooooooool

Owls lead #17 TxSt 2-0 mid 1H!

(09-03-2026 08:06 PM)owl at the moon Wrote:  Goooooooooooooooool

Goooooooooooooooool

Owls lead #17 TxSt 2-0 mid 1H!

However the Owls now playing down 2 players in the 25’ after a couple red cards

Actual live game link-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSMLdettibw

Bobcats cut the lead in half in the 51’

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL!!!

Rice still playing 9-on-11 scores their second shorthanded goal to go up 3-1 in the 65’ at #17 Texas State!

72’ bobcats back within one 3-2

3-3 but rice just misses its fourth.

Ouch, TxSt goes ahead in the 90’ 4-3

3-4 at 89

Tough loss. I felt we outplayed them despite being short handed nearly the entire match

Darn. Game over. Heck of an effort.

Around the league yesterday:

Rice lost a heartbreaker at #17 Texas State last night.

After a quick early goal, Rice took a 2-0 lead in the 22’ on a shorthanded score despite playing 10-on-11. A second red card mid 1H resulted in the Owls playing 9-on-11 the rest of the game. Rice held TxSt scoreless in the 1H with solid defense and goaltending.

TxSt struck early in the 2H to cut the lead in the 50’. But the Rice counter was relentless resulting in a 3-1 lead. Rice even netted another apparent goal but was waved off after replay “indicated” offsides. (The PAC-12 YouTube single camera angle was not convincing, IMO).

The Bobcats broke through for two quick strikes to level things in the 74’, and both teams continued to make chances the rest of the way. TxSt scored the game winner in the final minute to cap a 4-goal 2H.

Texas State outshot Rice 22-13, while both sides had seven shots on goal. Rice scored 3 goals for only the second time this season, matching their output in a road shutout at Navy. The Owls have scored once in their other four games.

#23 Memphis drew 1-1 vs former AC squad Houston. (Same score as our scrimmage draw against the Cougars)

UTSA remained unbeaten (3-0-3) with a 2-1 win against ETAMU.

USF hosted #5 Wake Forest, falling 3-0.

Temple fell to 4-2 after being blanked 2-0 by St. Joseph’s. Tulsa matched Temple’s AC-leading 4 wins with a 2-0 win against ACU.

Also:
ECU 0-0 UNCW (The Pirates’ fourth draw are now 1-2-4)
FAU 3-0 Jacksonville
UNT 2-6 Oklahoma
UAB 0-1 Auburn

Sunday: Rice takes on their third consecutive ranked opponent as they travel to meet defending national champs 15.FSU.
23. Memphis is at 8. Ohio State
Charlotte (3-2) visits Mississippi State

Rice kicks off at Florida State in 45 minutes! (1pm CT)

RiceOwls.com Wrote:Rice Owls (1-3-2, 0-0 American) at No. 15 Florida State Seminoles (4-1-0, 0-0-0 ACC)
Match 7 • Thursday, Sept. 6, 2026 • 12:00 p.m. CT
Tallahassee, Florida • Seminole Soccer Complex
Video Stream: https://www.espn.com/watch/player/_/id/4...dcab27605b (ACCNX)
Live Stats: https://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=664493
Instagram/X Updates: @RiceSoccer

Taking on the Reigning Champs
The Owls conclude a stretch of three straight ranked opponents Sunday afternoon at the reigning national champion, No. 15 Florida State. Rice has faced the reigning national champion in four of the last five seasons.

(09-06-2026 12:15 PM)owl at the moon Wrote:  Rice kicks off at Florida State in 45 minutes! (1pm CT)

RiceOwls.com Wrote:Rice Owls (1-3-2, 0-0 American) at No. 15 Florida State Seminoles (4-1-0, 0-0-0 ACC)
Match 7 • Thursday, Sept. 6, 2026 • 12:00 p.m. CT
Tallahassee, Florida • Seminole Soccer Complex
Video Stream: https://www.espn.com/watch/player/_/id/4...dcab27605b (ACCNX)
Live Stats: https://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=664493
Instagram/X Updates: @RiceSoccer

Taking on the Reigning Champs
The Owls conclude a stretch of three straight ranked opponents Sunday afternoon at the reigning national champion, No. 15 Florida State. Rice has faced the reigning national champion in four of the last five seasons.

No, match started at 11:00am. It's 0-0 at half.

FSU scores a goal at ‘75. Rice scores at ‘81 to tie it up.

Woo hoo! GREAT RESULT for Rice!

Earned a road 1-1 draw at the defending champs #15 FSU!

Outshot the Seminoles 13-11 as well.

I’m excited about conference play after these last 3 games now… we are ready to take on the other top teams in the American and go earn a championship!

Impressive. We need to keep up the solid play. All indications are the two red cards we drew against Texas State were not deserved (one was,one was not).