BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – Houston Christian University took home two of the three Ohio Valley Conference weekly accolades for the week ending August 24, as senior
Alex Aitken was named Goalkeeper of the Week and
Nico Kross was selected as Co-Defensive Player of the Week. The two were honored after helping guide HCU to a season-opening 4-0 shutout of Pacific on Sunday evening.
Aitken picks up his first honor of the season and fourth overall in his career after a strong opening outing. The Great Barford, England native posted his first clean sheet of the season, giving him 13 in his career which ranks him in second place all-time.
After moving into the top spot in all-time saves last year, Aitken picked up four in the opener to push him to 233 for his career. His first win of the season gives him 17 during his time on Fondren Road, now just three shy of Michael Bouchahine in second place all-time and four away from tying Chris Dodd for the top spot.
Kross picks up the first accolade of his HCU career. A junior transfer from East Tennessee State, the Heidenheim, Germany native provided solid help for Aitken in the back while going the distance during his HCU debut. He made several strong clearances and also added his first assist of the season on a long pass from in front of his own area down the left flank to
Ron Pressler, who scored the fourth and final goal of the night.
The 4-0 win over Pacific marked the first time since a 2023 match against Eastern Illinois where four different players found the back of the net. It was also the most goals in a season opener since a 5-1 win over Oral Roberts to begin the 2014 campaign.
HCU will play twice at home over the next week. The Huskies will be the second leg of a doubleheader with the women on Thursday at Sorrels Field, as they take on UMass-Lowell at 7:30 pm, immediately following the ladies game against College of Charleston. A Sunday night matchup with Gonzaga on August 31 ends the month and the three-match homestand.
#DawgsUp
