AUSTIN, TX -- Perhaps the Horns came out a little overzealous against Texas State in their LSA quarterfinal affair at St. Stephen’s last Friday evening. In the end though, it was more than the rain that washed out the Bobcats.

Both teams struggled to string passes together on fast break chances and UT failed to convert an overwhelming number of shots on goal as sloppy play marred the first half. Still, the Longhorns found a way to lead at the half 5-1 by playing stingy enough defense to keep the Bobcats off the scoreboard until late in the second quarter. Goalie Towers Wilen made two brilliant stops in the first that counted towards his seven total saves in the game.

Texas found its rhythm and absolutely exploded in the third quarter, scoring eight goals to just one for TSU. The onslaught was an atypical lift that demonstrated the Longhorns’ steady improvement and growing maturity, as the team had played exceedingly poor third quarters in a few key contests this season. Stephen Brandewie led the charge with a hat trick and Evans Swann and Charlie Fraser added two goals each while six other Horns also scored.

With 13:01 left in the fourth quarter and Texas leading 13-2, lightning forced the officials to suspend the game, and both teams retreated to their locker rooms. After some negotiation, it was decided that TSU would travel to meet the Horns on their home turf on Sunday to finish the game. That make-up game was also rained out, and rather than drag the process out further, Friday’s ending score was made official.

For the next stage in their playoff run, the Longhorns travel to Texas Stadium (Directions) in Dallas to take on the SMU Mustangs in the LSA semifinal at 7:00pm on Friday night. Should they win, Texas will meet the winner of Friday’s Texas A&M-North Texas matchup at 7:00pm Saturday evening.

by Aaron Motsinger