Skip To Main Content

Houston Christian University Athletics

OFFICIAL SITE OF HCU ATHLETICS
HCU ATHLETICS
ESPN Plus Logo
Sorrels Field - MSOC 1
Juan DeLeon Creative

MSOC: HCU returns to Sorrels for pair of non-conference matchups

Huskies host ORU on Thursday and Santa Clara on Sunday



HCU (1-2-1) vs. Oral Roberts (3-1) and Santa Clara (0-3) HCU returns home to Sorrels Field for another pair of non-conference matches this weekend, facing Oral Roberts on Thursday and Santa Clara on Sunday. Both games are scheduled for 7 pm kicks.

The Huskies gets back to action after playing twice in three days last weekend at the Soccer for the Cure Classic hosted by UAB in Birmingham. HCU fell victim to an 80th minute game-winner in a 2-1 loss to Belmont on Friday, but rallied with late heroics for a 1-1 draw with the host Blazers on Sunday afternoon.

Ryan Okerayi scored his second goal in two games on Friday for the Huskies lone tally and Alex Aitken had four saves in the match. His first, on an Alex Johnson shot at the 11:07 mark, was the 100th of his career.

In the Sunday tilt against UAB, the Huskies fell behind just before the half 1-0, but a late through ball by Kevin Yamna to a streaking Sam Zeeman got the Huskies on the board in the 89th minute. 

Aitken made two saves in the final minute to seal the tie, giving him 22 on the season. He currently leads the NCAA in total saves and his 5.5 saves per game ranks 17th. Ricardo Garcia is currently tied for third in the nation in assists with three.

Zeeman became the second Husky in as many weeks to be honored by the Ohio Valley Conference, as he was named Co-Defensive Player of the Week. He had the equalizer on Sunday while playing all 180 minutes in helping HCU allow just three goals in the two contests. 

The Huskies host Oral Roberts on Friday in the 14th meeting between the two schools. The Golden Eagles come into the match with a 3-1 record, and were ranked #25 before losing 1-0 at #11 SMU on Monday evening. 

ORU has won five of the last seven matchups in the series, and are led by Luis Flores. The junior forward is second in the nation with four goals on nine shots on goal through the first four games. Freshman goalkeeper Jakub Grzesiak has made 10 saves while facing 40 shots in posting a 1.00 GAA to start the season.

On Sunday, HCU will welcome Santa Clara. The Broncos have gotten off to a slow start, dropping their first three contests heading into their Thursday night matchup at Incarnate Word. 

The two schools have met just once previously, with SCU claiming a 2-1 win in California in 2021. The Broncos are paced by junior midfielder Caden Buckley, who has two goals in three outings.

HCU is 1-2-1 on the season, and will have two more road non-conference matches after this week before getting into their first season of OVC play, starting on September 28 at UIW. 

#DawgsUp
 
Print Friendly Version

Related Videos

Related Stories