Bayou City University: September 18
(image via University of St. Thomas)
College soccer across Houston is heating up as teams shift from non-conference play into the heart of their league schedules. From ranked battles to city rivalries, programs across the Bayou City are starting to define their seasons. Here’s how each squad fared over the past week and what’s next on their calendars.
University of Houston Cougars (Women)
Results:
September 11: Defeated UTRGV 1-0 at home
Recap: The Cougars had the weekend off but picked up a win at home on Thursday against fellow Texas school UTRGV.
Player Spotlight: Sophomore Savannah Tafireyi scored in the win and goalkeeper Lexi Gonzalez posted another clean sheet.
Looking Ahead: UH opens Big 12 play tonight, hosting Cincinnati.
Rice University Owls (Women)
Results:
September 11: Drew 3-3 on the road against UAB
Recap: The Owls fought back from trailing twice in the match to earn a draw on the road in Alabama against UAB.
Player Spotlight: Leah Chancey stayed hot, scoring her sixth goal of the season, this time from the penalty spot. Jady Jaeger scored Rice’s first of the match and Naijah Bruckner got the equalizer in the 83rd minute.
Looking Ahead: The now-ranked 25th in the nation Owls host Flordia Atlantic tonight. Rice will be back at home for a Sunday matinee against Grambling State.
Houston Christian University Huskies (Women)
Results:
September 11: Beat Prairie View A&M 3-2 at home
September 14: Won 2-0 on the road against Louisiana Tech
Recap: The Huskies finished up non-conference play with two wins. They scored three goals in the final 26 minutes to comeback against Prairie View for the winn and got a shutout on the road against La Tech.
Player Spotlight: Sophomore goalkeeper Emmy McKeon was named Southland Conference Goalkeeper of the Week. She made six saves in the win over Louisiana Tech.
Looking Ahead: HCU opens Southland Conference play tonight at home against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.
Houston Christian University Huskies (Men)
Results:
September 14: Lost 2-0 at Florida Gulf Coast
September 17: Beat UTRGV 1-0 on the road
Recap: The HCU men fell on the road in Florida before heading to the Valley and getting a big 1-0 win away from home.
Player Spotlight: Ryan Okerayi did it again, scoring a penalty kick in the 88th minute for the only goal in the match of the win over UTRGV.
Looking Ahead: The Huskies are off until next Friday when they travel west to San Antonio for a meeting with conference rival Incarnate Word.
University of St. Thomas Celts (Women)
Results:
September 11: Beat North American University 3-0
September 13: Defeated Howard Payne 1-0
Recap: UST picked up their first two wins of the season, scoring four goals across their two victories without conceding.
Player Spotlight: Asanah Gordon was named SCAC Women’s Soccer Defensive Player of the Week. She started both matches for a Celts defense that posted back-to-back clean sheets.
Looking Ahead: The St. Thomas women will play two matches in town, first hosting Mississippi University for Women tomorrow night and then taking on Texas Southern on Sunday.
University of St. Thomas Celts (Men)
Results:
September 11: Defeated Mary Hardin-Baylor 3-1
September 13: Won 2-0 against North American University
Recap: The Celts picked up two victories at SaberCats Stadium, scoring five goals across the two wins.
Player Spotlight: Senior center back Jeth Flores was named SCAC Men’s Soccer Defensive Player of the Week. He played all 180 minutes in the Celts two wins.
Looking Ahead: UST head to Victoria for a match against Texas A&M Houston-Victoria on Saturday afternoon.
Texas Southern University (Women)
Results:
September 11: Lost 3-0 to Fresno State at home
September 14: Drew 3-3 against UTRGV at home
Recap: The Lady Tigers had a tough loss to Fresno State but battled back for a 3-3 draw against UTRGV at home.
Player Spotlight: Esmeyda Cruz scored twice, including a penalty kick in the 87th minute, to earn TSU a draw with UTRGV.
Looking Ahead: TSU hosts St. Thomas on Sunday for an inner-city showdown at Alexander Durley Stadium.
Closing Thought
With conference play now in full swing, every match carries added weight. Houston’s programs are showing plenty of resilience and firepower, and the weeks ahead promise to deliver more city pride, rivalry drama, and postseason implications.
