HOUSTON – The Louisiana Tech soccer team suffered a 3-0 loss to the Rice Owls on Sunday afternoon at Holloway Field. 
 
LA Tech's (9-5-1, 2-3-1 C-USA) recent road struggles continued unfortunately.  The Lady Techsters came into the match with an 0-3-1 record in the last four matches away from home, and Rice (4-7-0, 2-3-0 C-USA) was able to get two goals in the first period and one early in the second to take the league match.
 
The LA Tech defense was able to fend off Rice's three corner kick opportunities in the first 15 minutes of action.  However, the Owls struck on their fourth corner kick opportunity though, coming in the 16^th which was a driving header by Erin Mikeska into the back of the net.
 
Rice was able to make it 2-0 in the 26th minute when Lianne Mananquil managed to weave through traffic into the 18 with her dribbling and then beat senior keeper Courtney Tompkins to the far post.
 
The Lady Techsters had a couple of free kick opportunities that followed.  Junior Jaelyn Peeples' attempt from 25 yards out was on target but saved.  Then senior Nomvula Kgoale had a go at it from about 25 yards out as well, but her shot bent wide of the post.
 
With the home team holding a 2-0 edge, LA Tech brought in freshman Katharine Price in at net and she almost immediately came up with a diving save to keep the score as it was. 
 
However, it was another set piece that generated the third and final goal for Rice.  A corner kick was driven to the top of the six where Mikeska flicked the header from close range for her second goal of the day. 
 
Rice held a 13-6 shot advantage.  Of the six shots by the Lady Techsters, Peeples' free kick in the first period was the only one that was on goal. 
 
Three players ended up going the distance for LA Tech – Sophia Smith, Alexandra Augustyn and Alexandra LeBlanc.  Tompkins finished with one save while Price registered two.
 
LA Tech stays at seven points with four league games left to play in the regular season.  Three of those four will come at home, starting on Thursday, Oct. 11 versus UTEP.  Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at the Lady Techster Soccer Complex.
 
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