Houston Christian University Athletics

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HOUSTON --- Houston Christian University dropped the penultimate match of the regular season on Thursday night, falling to defending Ohio Valley Conference champion Lindenwood University 2-0 at Sorrels Field. A scoreless night was turned on its head as Lindenwood stunned the Huskies with two goals inside a minute late in the second half to take control. 
 
The two teams fought to a physical stalemate for the first 45 minutes, with just one shot on target for either side leading to a 0-0 score at the intermission. The Huskies then nearly opened the scoring eight minutes into the second frame when a blast from the right corner corner of the penalty area by Jess Degenaers was parried away by Lindenwood's Quinn Closson.
 
With the game just over an hour old, the Lions shocked the Huskies with two quick goals in under a minutes time. A short corner from the right hash led to a glancing header by Luke Neely to the top of the box at the 67:55 mark for a 1-0 LU lead.
 
58 seconds later, it was a loft over the top from Leland Gray to the left flank where Thato Lekgetho put together a couple of nifty touches before cranking home a score to give the visitors a two-goal cushion with just over 20 minutes to play. The Huskies only managed a couple of shots down the stretch as the Lions saw the game out.
 
Ricardo Garcia had four shots with one on target while Harvey Heeps had a save for the Huskies, now 5-7-5 overall and 3-3-3 in OVC play. HCU remains in fourth place in the league standings at 12 points, two points behind third-place UIW. Spots three through eight in the league are separated by just four points, including a four-way tie for fifth place with 10 points. The top six teams make the OVC Tournament.
 
Lekgetho had three shots, two on goal and his third score of the campaign, while Neely added his second goal for the Lions (8-3-6 / 5-1-3 OVC). Quinn Closson earned his seventh clean sheet of the season making three saves for the Lindenwood, who with the win moved into first place in the OVC, two points clear of SIUE while also securing one of the two byes in the OVC Tournament.
 
The Huskies will close the regular season on Sunday with a "Senior Day" matinee against UTRGV, still looking to secure a spot in the OVC postseason field. Kickoff is set for 1 pm with the match as the opener of a doubleheader with the HCU women, who host Lamar University in Southland Conference action at 4 pm.
 
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