Flanagan, Rios power Jags past OLLU for the first time in 12 years

Since joining the UHV women's soccer team in 2020, Estelle Flanagan has known Our Lady of the Lake was a top team in the program.

Matches against the Saints were always tough to manage a result, with the Jaguars going 0-2-2 in Flanagan's previous four years.

On Thursday, UHV picked up a historic result, beating the Saints 2-1 thanks to goals from Flanagan and Arianna Rios. It's just the second-ever win against OLLU for UHV (11-4-0, 8-4-0) and first since a 1-0 home win over OLLU (7-6-2, 6-5-1) in 2012.

"To end my senior year with a bang, especially in our last home game, to win 2-1," said Flanagan, who also gave appreciation to Rios' goal. "It's going to be a real good motivator to try and finish the season strong on Saturday and then move on to the playoffs next week."

With the win, UHV set a new program best for wins in conference play and are one win from tying the single-season wins record.

"I'm really proud with how our women have stepped up this season, especially down the stretch," Rigby said. "Their confidence is showing on the field and this is the perfect time to hit our stride. We need to close out the season the same way on Saturday and take that momentum into the next week."

Flanagan and Rios combined on both of UHV's goals with Rios winning the ball in the attacking third in the 12^th minute before Flanagan worked her way around a defender and put the ball in the back of the net for her eighth goal of the season.

Rios then won a free kick in the 48^th minute nearly 50 yards from goal. Flanagan saw Rios in the box and knew she'd play it to her fellow senior. Rios then buried the header for her second goal of the year.

"We started rough at the beginning of the year," Rios said, "but I feel like we've learned to play with each other and for each other, too. We have a lot of seniors on our team, so it's just making sure we play well for them and making sure we have a good season."

Flanagan has contributed on each of UHV's last four goals, with two goals and two assists in that time. She wants to make sure her last season is her best one yet.

"Last semester, best semester," Flanagan said. "I want to be able to show the underclassmen what it takes to succeed in this conference. I just want to play to the best of my ability and be able to say I gave it my all."

OLLU made the final 15 minutes of the match interesting after Lyndee Rheinberger converted a penalty to make it 2-1.