Houston Christian University Head Coach
Ryan Pratt announced on Tuesday the addition of three more signings for the 2026 season. Ryan Anderson and Mateus Baptista de Souza join as transfers while Andrew Dillett comes to the Huskies an incoming freshman. The trio of players brings the recruiting class to seven.
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Ryan Anderson comes to the Huskies after spending the 2025 season at University of Texas-Dallas. The 6'3 defender from Prosper, Texas played in all 18 matches for the Comets, starting 16 and collected 2025 Lone Star All-Conference honors.
He had two goals and four assists on the season with one game-winning goal and helped a defensive effort that posted eight clean sheets on the year. Anderson spent his rookie campaign at Utah Tech, where he played in six games with one start.
PRATT ON ANDERSON
"Ryan will add great size and athletic ability to our lineup. He reads the game well and is good in possession. We are looking forward to adding the balance of his game to our back line."
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Mateus Baptista de Souza is a 5'11 goalkeeper transferring from Purdue University-Northwest. The Curitiba, Brazil native spent two seasons with the Pride, making 65 saves in 21 appearances in the pipes while facing 261 total shots.
PRATT ON de SOUZA
"Mateus will provide great competition for our goalkeeping position. He is fundamentally sound, very good with the ball at his feet, and has an ability to make great reflex saves. His communication and organizational skills will be an asset to our team."
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Andrew Dillett is a 5'9 defender from just down the road at Logos Prep Academy in Sugar Land. He was a two-time All-Conference selection for the Lions who also played club with Rise SC ECNL.
PRATT ON DILLETT
"Andrew is a fullback that possesses great technical ability and quickness. His attention to detail, work rate, and toughness make him a great fit. He also has the ability to move the team in possession out of the back and loves to get forward helping us create in the final third."
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Anderson and de Souza have entered HCU for the Spring semester, while Dillett will join up in the Fall. The 2026 recruiting class now stands at eight with previous signings:
⚽️ December 12:
Noah Fernandes / Clarenns Sainrimat
⚽️ December 16:
Callum Niven / Samuel Sebagabo
HCU finished its third season in the Ohio Valley Conference with an 11-5-3 mark overall and a 5-3-2 ledger in the league. The Huskies recorded the most victories in a single season since the 1990 team won 14 and are now 10-5-5 in league play over the past two seasons.
The Huskies claimed half of the leagues six major awards and for the second straight season had seven players earn honors.
D'Alessandro Herrera was named Midfielder of the Year for the second time,
Alex Aitken collected Goalkeeper of the Year honors and
Joby Reid was named Freshman of the Year, the third straight season for HCU to claim that honor.
Ryan Okerayi and
Nico Kross joined Herrera and Aitken on the All-OVC first team, with
Ricardo Garcia being named to the scond team. Reid and
Ben Thirkill were selected to the All-Freshman squad.
The Huskies advanced for the second straight year to the Ohio Valley Conference championship match, both of which have gone double-overtime with this being the first in the three years of the OVC to go to penalties.
#DawgsUp
