HOUSTON, Texas – Ethan Giwa-McNeil's goal in the 76th minute proved to be the game-winner, handing Houston Christian University a hard-fought 2-1 result over arch-rival University of the Incarnate Word on Saturday night at Sorrels Field. With just under 17 minutes remaining, the Huskies scored two goals within 2:36 of each other to erase a one-goal deficit and capture victory in the Ohio Valley Conference opener.
 
Neither team could find the back of the net in the first half despite a couple of solid opportunities on each side. The Huskies came out fast, with shots by Jireh Oyebamiji and Ryan Okerayi finding the mitts of UIW keeper Alejandro DeLaTorre in the first five minutes. The Cardinals would reciprocate with a couple of shots at the turn of the ninth minute, as Sello Diphoko clanked a shot off the left woodwork and seconds later Rochaine Baker missed wide left.
 
Okerayi put another on target that was saved with 14:34 gone and a quick blast by Oyebamiji in the 31st minute was knocked away, sending the two clubs to the intermission in a scoreless deadlock.
 
HCU stayed on the offensive early in the second half, getting off six shots in the first twenty minutes, but none could find the target. A corner kick was earned by the Huskies just into the 65th minute, but UIW used a quick counter attack to push the ball up the left side of the pitch. The ball was centered to Diego Robles, who took possession and after a quick touch and turn laid a ball off for William Fagerberg. The freshman lashed his first college shot on goal, a missile from the right side of the box past a diving Alex Aitken that staked the visitors to a one-nil lead.
 
In the 74th minute, the Huskies found themselves on the attack once again and Ryan Okerayi was clipped in the box to give HCU a penalty. Okerayi took it himself, crushing the equalizer past DeLaTorre.
 
Not content, HCU continued to push the pace. Two-and-a-half minutes after he knotted the score, it was Okerayi again leading the charge. Breaking down the left side of the offensive end, Okerayi crossed a ball into the box, where D'Alessandro Herrera softly guided it to Ethan Giwa-McNeil flying down his right flank in the box. His right-footed blast found nothing but nylon to push the Huskies in front 2-1.
 
HCU would stave off several bursts in the final 12 minutes. A quick left-footed flick by Diego Robles was grabbed by Aitken in the 85th minute and the Huskies were able to ward off the Cardinals down the stretch for the conference-opening three points.
 
The Huskies were particularly aggressive, outshooting their rivals from San Antonio 17-7, with a 6-3 advantage on goal. HCU earned eight corners to five.
 
Ryan Okerayi led the charge for HCU, taking five shots with three coming on goal including the penalty kick score to go along with his assist. Giwa-McNeil notched his team-leading fourth goal of the season while D'Alessandro Herrera collected his first helper of the campaign. Jireh Oyebamiji had three shots total with two coming on goal. Aitken had two saves while facing seven shots.
 
Fagerberg had his first collegiate goal for the Cardinals, now 2-4-1 overall and 0-0-1 in the league. DeLaTorre had four saves.
 
HCU improves to 3-4-2 overall and 1-0-0 in OVC play. The Huskies form has them unbeaten in their last four while winning their last two. The Huskies return to Fondren Road next week for two OVC matches to close the homestand, facing Western Illinois on Thursday followed by Liberty next Sunday night.
 
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