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HOUSTON – Sophomore Avery Cortez scored the first two goals of her collegiate career and the game-winner came from Sabriah Spencer as the HBU women's soccer team earned a decisive 3-1 victory of the Houston Cougars at Sorrels Field on Friday evening.
 
HBU (1-0-0) came out aggressive and earned a free kick from a few yards outside the 18-yard box. Just past the 10 minute mark, freshman Talin Rizo gave a light touch to the right to set up Cortez for the shot, which she rocketed past the UH (0-1-0) keeper for her first career-goal as a Husky. Spencer and Gabby Rodriguez both added shots on goal to bring HBU's total for the first 27 minutes to four shots on target.
 
Spencer hit paydirt in the 34^th minute when she got free past the defender before bearing the keeper to her right and tapping the ball into the net for a 2-0 Husky lead. The Cougars got their best look of the half with less than 20 seconds on the clock when Desiree Bowen got a good look in front of the net off a cross but her attempt went high over the bar.
 
UH came out in the second half tested HBU goalkeeper Alanis Guevara with a pair of attempts on goal in the first nine minutes of the half. Despite the improved Cougar attack, a throw-in by Baylii Bieke into the box found Cortez who sent a header into goal for the brace and a 3-0 HBU advantage. Houston answered in the 74^th minute with a long-range strike from Angela Forthuber with an assist by Nolin Packer. UH kept up the pressure, forcing Guevara into a pair of back-to-back saves in the span of a few seconds during the 83^rd minute.
 
Cortez's two goals came on four shot attempts, three of which were on goal. Spencer also put three of her four shots on goal. Guevara earned the win in goal, posting five saves in the victory. The Huskies held an 8-to-6 advantage in shots on goal but Houston attempted 18 shots overall to the Huskies' 10.
 
"It's always good to win our opening game," said HBU head coach Misty Jones. "Obviously, to get a good decisive win over a UH team, a little crosstown rivalry, is always fun. The exciting part for us is that we executed the things we worked on in practice. We scored three really good goals, which, it's always good to put the ball in the net early on in the season. I'm very proud of the efforts and it's definitely something we can build on."
 
HBU hits the road next week for a two-game road trip to Arizona. The Huskies will face Grand Canyon in Phoenix, Ariz. on Friday, Aug. 24 before traveling to Tucson, Ariz. on Sunday, Aug. 26 to take on the Arizona Wildcats.