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3
Houston Christian HCU (2-4-3, 0-0-1)
3
UIW UIW (2-4-3, 0-0-1)
Houston Christian HCU
(2-4-3, 0-0-1)
3
Final
3
UIW UIW
(2-4-3, 0-0-1)
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Houston Christian HCU 2 1 3
UIW UIW 2 1 3

Game Recap: Men's Soccer |

MSOC: Late one from Leza levels OVC opener for Huskies

HCU, UIW battle to 3-3 draw on inaugural opening night



SAN ANTONIO —- Hans Leza's goal with just over 10 minutes to play earned HCU a 3-3 draw with rival Incarnate Word at Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium Thursday evening on the inaugural opening night of Ohio Valley Conference play.

It took just over nine minutes of game time for the first shot to occur, and the first shot on goal wasn't recorded until the 20:08 mark off the foot of HCU's Jireh Oyebamiji. 

The two teams would then pick up the pace, and eight minutes later, the Huskies would go out in front on a goal from D'Alessandro Herrera. Leza saw a run down the line by Ethan Giwa-McNeil and played him quickly. Giwa-McNeil cut back to his right foot and served a ball to the back post for the one-time finish by Herrera. 

McNeil would put one over the net at the 34-minute mark, and after the goal kick, the Huskies came right back on the attack with pace. HCU moved the ball from side to side and then played it into the middle where Curtis Dunn drove straightaway, playing a one-two with Herrera before calmly slotting the ball home for a 2-0 lead. 

That lead would evaporate however, as the Cardinals clamored their way back into the match with two goals in the final five minutes of the half. Erick Rios hit Eduardo Perez at the 41:12 make to pull UIW within one, 2-1. 

With just 25 seconds remaining until the break, Brady Drozdowski shot one into the bottom right corner on an assist from Miles Merritt, putting the game right back where it started, knotted at two apiece at the intermission.

In the 57th minute, the Huskies earned a penalty kick after Drozdowski was sent off, dropping UIW to ten men. Herrera's PK was saved however by OVC Goalkeeper of the Week Hugo Constant, keeping the game even.

It didn't take long for UIW to capitalize on the PK save momentum, as in the next minute after another small flurry of cards, the Cardinals pushed in front on a goal by Peleg Armendraiz.

HCU would not be deterred, and at the 79:19 mark, the Huskies scored the equalizer in similar fashion to their second goal. This time it was Leza playing the give-and-go with Herrera and planting a shot top corner for his first score of the season.

Alex Aitken would deny one last good opportunity from UIW, batting away a shot to the high right by Rios.

The Huskies outshot their hosts 13-9 overall and 6-5 on goal. The two rivals combined for 27 fouls, five yellow cards and three reds. 

D'Alessandro took four shots, three on goal in collecting his fourth goal of the season to go along with two assists. Dunn and Leza picked up their first career goals on their only shots of the night. Giwa-McNeil took two shots and added an assist.

HCU and UIW remain identical in record, as both teams are now 2-4-3 and open conference play at 0-0-1. 

The Huskies will head to Lynchburg, Virginia for a Sunday matinee with Liberty, who defeated Chicago State 7-1 in their league opener Thursday night.

#DawgsUp


 
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