Bayou City University: September 4
(image via Rice University)
A busy week of action saw Houston’s college programs continue their early-season push. Here’s how the Bayou City teams fared.
University of Houston Cougars (Women)
Results:
September 1: Defeated Southern 6-0 at home
Recap: The Cougars had to reschedule their match on Sunday against UL-Monroe to a Labor Day matinee with Southern but the delay didn’t hurt as they came away 6-0 winners to remain unbeaten in 2025.
Player Spotlight: Houston had 46 shots in the win over Southern and five different goal scorers. Junior Adelhia Ghonda scored a brace to lead the way.
Looking Ahead: UH hosts McNeese tonight at 7 PM. They then travel to Nacogdoches on Sunday for a meeting with Stephen F. Austin, head coach Ben Williams’ old team.
Rice University Owls (Women)
Results:
August 28: Defeated Oklahoma State 3-2 at home
August 31: Defeated Louisiana 2-1 on the road
Recap: The Owls added another two wins this past week as they went on the road for both victories. Graduate midfielder Leah Chancey continues to lead the way for a Rice team who picked up votes in this week’s United Soccer Coaches Top 25 rankings.
Player Spotlight: Chancey was named American Conference Offensive Player of the Week on Monday. She scored the game-tying goal and assisted on the game-winning goal against Oklahoma State. She then scored the winner in the victory against Louisiana.
Looking Ahead: Rice continues its three-match road trip on Sunday with a trip to Beaumont to take on Lamar.
Houston Christian University Huskies (Women)
Results:
August 28: Lost 3-0 vs College of Charleston
Recap: The Huskies fell 3-0 to College of Charleston and then had their Sunday match with Southern rained out.
Player Spotlight: Goalkeeper Emmy McKeon had seven saves in the loss against Charleston while having to face 20 shots and 9 of those on goal.
Looking Ahead: HCU hits the road, first to Dallas for a match up with SMU tonight. They then travel to Baton Rouge Sunday for their rescheduled match with Southern.
Houston Christian University Huskies (Men)
Results:
August 28: Lost 1-0 to UMass Lowell at home
August 31: Beat Gonzaga 1-0 at Houston Sports Park
Recap: The HCU’s men’s team played two close contests this past week, narrowing losing to UMass Lowell before picking up a win against Gonzaga.
Player Spotlight: Ryan Okerayi bagged an 80th minute winner in the match against Gonzaga that had to be moved off campus because of weather.
Looking Ahead: The Huskies are on the West Coast tonight in La Jolla, California to take on UC San Diego before returning home for a Sunday contest against Oral Roberts.
University of St. Thomas Celts (Women)
Results:
August 29: Drew 1-1 against Pacific Lutheran University
Recap: UST battled number 23 ranked Pacific Lutheran to a 1-1 draw on Friday night.
Player Spotlight: Fernanda Alvarado scored for the Celts with assists from Emma Cerda and Sydney Ferguson.
Looking Ahead: The St. Thomas women are in Marshall, Texas for two matches across three days. They’ll take on East Texas Baptist on Friday and then have a match up with Belhaven on Sunday.
University of St. Thomas Celts (Men)
Results:
August 29: Lost 2-0 on the road to Southwestern
Recap: The Celts got their season underway, falling 2-0 to Southwestern in Georgetown. Their scheduled match on Sunday against Trinity was canceled.
Player Spotlight: Jovany Garcia and Hani Ahmadie had shots on goal for St. Thomas as the Celts tried to battle back against Southwestern.
Looking Ahead: UST begin a home stretch on Saturday as they play host to Hardin-Simmons University.
Closing Thought
The college season is full swing with action all around town. Be sure to get out to UH, Rice, HCU, or St. Thomas and support the student-athletes and soccer in the Bayou City.
