HOUSTON – The HBU men's soccer team won in golden fashion in a 1-0 2OT thriller against Chicago State at Sorrels Field, on senior day, Saturday night.
 
The Huskies (4-14-0, 2-9-0 WAC) and the Cougars (2-13-3, 0-9-2 WAC) both played great defense in the first half, stopping almost all attacks by the opposition. Both teams were able to keep each other off the scoreboard, and the only shot either team had on target was when HBU's Bangelee Sesay sent a shot towards the bottom left corner of the net, but Cougars' keeper Joe Bowles was there for the save.
 
The second half was much of the same from both squads. This time Chicago State had the good looks, when in the 58^th minute Florian Ouaddour and Toluwalase Oladeinbo both sent shots on goal but Husky keeper Ciro Calderon was there for the saves. The only shot the Huskies were able to send on target was with a few seconds remaining in the half, Sebastian Cochrane sent in a bullet from the near-side of midfield that a leaping Bowles was able to save to send the game into overtime tied, 0-0.
 
Chicago State were the aggressors in the first overtime period. They were able to maintain possession for the majority of the 10-minute period and nixed any attack that the Huskies were able to put together. In the 94^th and 97^th minutes, Enrique Zamora sent shots on target, but Calderon was there for the Huskies to keep things even at 0-0.The second overtime period was all Huskies. In the 108^th minute, Abu Kamara sent in a cross but CJ Smith's diving attempt for the finish wasn't enough.  In the 110^th minute, off of a Chicago State turnover in their attacking third, Karama dribbled down the far side of the field until he got to the corner of the box and sent in a cross that found Smith who touched it to Nathan Karmbor for the golden goal.
 
For the game, the Huskies led in total shots 13-10 while the Cougars led in shots on goal, 5-3 and corner kick opportunities, 4-2. HBU's Calderon had five saves on the night and was able to keep a clean sheet while Cougars' Bowles had two saves.
 
Graduating Seniors:
 
First, a forward from Brampton, Ontario, Canada, CJ Smith. CJ has started all 17 of the games he appeared in during his lone season at HBU and tallied 1131 minutes played. For the season, CJ scored five goals including two against Huston-Tillotson on September 10^th. CJ had three assists on the season, two coming against Utah Valley on October 24^th and one coming on the golden goal tonight against Chicago State. His shots on goal percentage is a staggering .625. CJ will graduate next May with a degree in Sociology.
 
Second, a defender from Katy, Texas, Felipe Latorre. Felipe was escorted onto the field this evening by his mother, Paula Mendez, his father, Jorge Latorre, his brother, Jose Latorre, and his aunt, Myriam Mendez. In two season with the Huskies Felipe started in six games and appeared in 17 totaling 618 minutes played. Off the field, Felipe was a member of the Academic All-WAC team in 2020 and will graduate next May with a degree in Biology.
 
Next, a forward from Katy, Texas, Nick Coburn. Nick was escorted onto the field by his mother, Maria Fernanda Coburn, his father, Edward Coburn, and his brother Sebastian. In four seasons at HBU, Nick has started 17 games and appeared in 33 games, logging 1,514 minutes on the field. He has two career goals, both in his freshman season along with four assists. Off the field, Nick was a member of the Academic-All WAC teams in 2018 and 2019. He will graduate in December with a degree in Business Management.
 
Finally, a forward from Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela, Gianluca Natera. Gianluca was escorted onto thee field tonight by his mother Gabriella Montanari, father Ivan Natera and his brother Chris Natera. In five seasons with the Huskies he has started in 48 games and appeared in 62 games. He has scored 12 times and is tied for 10^th all-time with 13 assists. He has played the 8^th most minutes in HBU Men's Soccer history with 4,700 minutes and is only the 2^nd men's soccer player to be a letter winner five times. Off the field, Gianluca was a member of the Academic All-WAC team from 2017-2020 and will graduate in December with a degree in International business.