SAN DIEGO, Calif. – Houston Christian University passed its first road test of the season, going into Triton Soccer Stadium and coming away with a 2-0 win over UC San Diego on Thursday night. It was the third clean sheet in the first four matches of the season for the Huskies
The Huskies were aggressive from the outset and kept the pressure on for the majority of the evening. Several good runs in the first half mounted to strong chances, two from
D'Alessandro Herrera and one from
Anis Harrar, all saved by UCSD keeper Nolan Premack. The two teams would settle for a well-played scoreless deadlock at the break.
In the second, HCU picked up right where it left off, pushing forward from the first whistle. In the 49th minute, the Huskies got their breakthrough, as
Joby Reid picked up an errant pass in the final third and slotted home his first career score and put the visitors ahead.
The Huskies didn't sit back, continued to pepper the Tritons defense with seven more shots three on target over the next 25 minutes. With less than five minutes to play
Ryan Okerayi was dragged down in the box, leading to a penalty where his effort from the spot was calmly placed home for a two-goal advantage as the Huskies raced to the finish line.
HCU posted its fourth straight match with double-figure shots, outshooting the Tritons 17-6 with an 8-3 edge on target. Herrera led the way with five shots, two on goal, while Okerayi and Reid each took three and scored once.
Alex Aitken, the school's leader in career saves, registered three more to highlight the third clean sheet in four for the Huskies.
UCSD, now 0-3-1, had just six shots, three on goal, one apiece from Cole Barrett, Liam Murdin and Kai Oppenheim. Nolan Premack put in a solid effort in the pipes, stopping six shots.
HCU is now 3-1-0 on the season. The Huskies return home to face longtime rival Oral Roberts University on Sunday evening at Sorrels Field, the fourth match in five on Fondren Road to begin the campaign.
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