Houston Christian University Athletics

HOUSTON --- Houston Christian University late rally for an equalizer came up short as the Huskies fell to Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville 2-1 at Sorrels Field on Sunday afternoon.
 
The game saw just five shots on goal, despite HCU holding a 16-6 advantage in total shots. SIUE made the most of their six attempts with three on goal and two hitting the back of the net.
 
SIUE broke the ice two seconds shy of the 25th minute as a quick pass from Elliott Forestier found Ryley Gibbs for a one-timer and a 1-0 lead. That edge would hold through intermission and on past the hour mark until Gibbs corner kick found Mathias Clausen for a header in the box that doubled the visitors lead.
 
HCU pulled one back in the 73rd minute when Jess Degenaers corner entry was poked home by Leo Makatta to make the count 2-1. The Huskies had several solid chances to knot things up in the final 15 minutes, but couldn't get one to go as the Cougars fled Fondren Road with the full result.
 
Leo Makatta opened his HCU account on three shots total and Jess Degenaers recorded his first career helper for the Huskies. Ryan Okerayi led the Huskies with four shots while Harvey Heeps made one save.
 
Gibbs put home his team-best fifth goal and got his first assist while Clausen put home his first tally of the season for the Cougars, now 5-5-2 overall and 3-1-1 in OVC play.
 
HCU falls to 3-5-4 on the campaign and suffers their first defeat in OVC play, dropping to 1-1-2. The Huskies will now embark on a four-match road stretch that begins in the Land of Lincoln with a pair of matches on Thursday and Saturday against Western Illinois University and Eastern Illinios University.
 
 
#DawgsUp