HOUSTON – Houston Christian University returns to the pitch on Friday evening as it hosts Southern University. Kick-off at Sorrels Field is slated for 7 pm.
 
The Huskies is coming off an explosive week offensively, scoring four goals in back-to-back contests. HCU claimed a 4-0 victory at Grambling on Thursday, then returned home to rally for a weather-delayed but exhilarating 4-4 draw with Tarleton State.
 
HCU raced to a 4-0 lead at the break at Grambling, getting a brace from Madison Stormberg as well as goals from Mikaela Valentine and Olivia Rossman. On Sunday, the Huskies jumped out to a 2-1 lead on goals from Rossman and Isabella Dillow, only to find themselves trailing 4-2 with just over 15 minutes to play. Paisley Barela pulled one back in the 75th minute with a rebound putback and Iliana Sanchez then opened her account with a follow-up of her own with just under three minutes to play for the equalizer.
 
Nick Whiting, now in his third season at the helm, has the Huskies at 2-3-2 overall entering Friday evening's match with Southern, the penultimate non-conference game of the season.
 
Offensively, the Huskies are led by senior Olivia Rossman, who has two goals and two assists for six points. Sophomore Paisely Barela has five points on a goal and team-leading three assists while senior Isabella Dillow also has five points on two goals and a helper.
 
Junior Emmy McKeon has been solid between the posts for HCU. She has 33 saves in seven starts while facing 95 total shots, 47 on target.
 
The Tigers are led by Jeremy Fontenot, now in his 11th season in Baton Rouge. The Jaguars are currently 1-4-0 on the season coming off an 8-0 defeat to Southern Miss in Hattiesburg on Sunday.
 
HCU holds an 3-0 edge in the all-time series between the two schools. The Huskies and Jaguars most recently met last September 7, when the Huskies left Baton Rouge with a 2-0 result courtesy of goals from Rossman and Dillow.
 
Keilyn Pittman, a junior forward, leads the Jaguars with two goals on two shots. Senior keeper Sydney Whitten has started all five matches and has 17 saves against 59 shots faced.
 
Friday night's match, which is available on ESPN+, will also be "Senior Night" for the Huskies as they recognize their outgoing student-athletes. HCU will have a quick turnaround into the final non-conference match of the season, heading over to Prairie View A&M to take on the Panthers in a Sunday evening tilt scheduled for 6 pm.
 
 
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