HOUSTON – In a dramatic encounter at Holloway Field, the Rice soccer team secured a 1-1 draw against East Carolina, thanks to a pivotal penalty-kick conversion by Leah Chancey in the closing minutes of the match. With this result, the Owls improved their record to 9 wins, 2 losses, and 5 draws (3-1-5 American Conference), while the Pirates moved to 5 wins, 6 losses, and 4 draws (3-3-2 American Conference).
Notably, this draw guarantees Rice a position in the upcoming 2025 American Conference Soccer Tournament.
Match Overview
From the outset, the Owls displayed offensive intent with multiple attempts by Eileen Albers and Chancey, but East Carolina’s defense absorbed the pressure. The breakthrough for ECU came at the 32-minute mark when Holly Schlagelm scored from a well-placed free kick, giving the Pirates a 1-0 advantage at halftime.
The second half saw Rice pushing for an equalizer, with opportunities arising for Piper Biziorek, Allie Love, and Kallie McKinney. However, ECU’s goalkeeper remained resolute, thwarting their efforts. With less than seven minutes remaining, a review process awarded Rice a vital penalty kick, which Leah Chancey successfully converted, resulting in a tie.
Scoring Summary
- 32:38 – ECU: Goal by Holly Schlagelm, assisted by Isabella Gutierrez
- 83:07 – RICE: Penalty Kick Goal by Leah Chancey (10)
Key Statistics
- Rice outshot ECU 16-13 overall, with a 9-5 edge in shots on target.
- The Pirates held a slight advantage in corner kicks, 6-4.
- Leah Chancey achieved her 10th goal of the season and now holds 19 career goals, tying her for eighth place in Rice’s all-time scoring list.
- This match marked Chancey’s 50th career point for Rice.
Historical Context
This draw continues Rice’s challenging history against East Carolina, with the Owls holding a record of 2 wins, 6 losses, and 3 draws in their previous encounters.
Looking Ahead
Rice will conclude its regular season next Thursday against Tulsa, as they aim to build on this momentum leading into the tournament.
