UTRGV women’s soccer pick up first win against Prairie View A&M

The Vaqueros women’s soccer team picked up its first clean sheet of the season after a 4-0 win against Prairie View A&M today at the UTRGV Soccer and Track & Field Complex.

UTRGV forward Isabella Burtini scored a brace within five minutes between the 25- and 30-minute mark to give the Vaqueros a 2-0 lead and marked her third goal of the season.

Vaquero midfielder Sienna Gillespie scored the third goal in the first half. Fellow defender/midfielder Erika Parker brought it home with after a curled shot at the goal in the second half, giving UTRGV the 4-0 win.

Vaquero forward Londyn Johnson dribbles the ball during today’s match against Prairie View A&M University at the UTRGV Soccer and Track & Field Complex. The Vaqueros defeated the Panthers 4-0.

Logan Huizar/Pulse Magazine

Parker said she had an opportunity in the first half to take a shot but didn’t. During the second half, after encouragement from her teammates, and an assist from Burtini, Parker found the back of the net.

“I had to take the shot; didnt really think about it just took it,” she said.

UTRGV has never lost against Prairie View, extending its record against the Panthers to 7-0-1 all time.

Tonight’s victory not only marked the first of the season for the Vaqueros but the first win under new head coach Nataki Stewart.

Vaquero forward Londyn Johnson (No. 5) and Prairie View A&M University midfielder Jilliana Reese fight for possession in the second half of today’s match at the UTRGV Soccer and Track & Field Complex. The final score was 4-0 in favor of UTRGV.

Logan Huizar/Pulse Magazine

Stewart, along with 19 players, is new to the team this season.

“While we have a lot of new players, the challenge was, ‘Can we still find a way to get positive results?’” he said.

Burtini, who is in her second year with the Vaqueros, said she made a bet with a friend that she could score a hat trick and used that as motivation for today’s match.