HOUSTON – Houston Christian University was stunned by a late score by UC San Diego and dropped a tightly contested 1-0 decision on Thursday night at Sorrels Field in the final of a three-match season-opening homestand.
A strong defensive game from both sides saw just three shots on target in the first half. Things picked up in the second half, especially from the visitors, who put up 11 shots total in the second 45 mintues. Six of those were on point, including the game-winner which came in the 84th minute.
A lost ball in the offensive end led to a breakout by the Tritons. A nifty pass by Ryan Namdar from the middle of the pitch to the left channel found Tyler Cash, who lined a screamer past a sprawling
Harvey Heeps to give UCSD the breakthrough.
The Tritons then saw things out with strong clearance play over the final five minutes that enabled them to sneak out of Sorrels with the victory and avenge a 2-0 defeat in San Diego to the Huskies last season.
Ricardo Garcia had four shots for the Huskies, who only managed to put two of their 11 attempts for the evening on goal.
Harvey Heeps took the loss despite a career best seven saves.
Cash opened his account for the season, while Namdar earned his first assist of the year, leading the Tritons (2-0) with four shots, two on target.
The Huskies end their three-match season-opening homestand at 1-2 overall. HCU will now hit the highway for its first road match of the season next Monday, August 31 when it travels to Dallas to take on No. 5 ranked SMU.
The Mustangs, who are 2-0 on the season after victories over Stetson and then No. 4 ranked Saint Louis, face Loyola Marymount on Friday evening prior to hosting the Huskies.
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