HOUSTON --- Houston Christian University put a goal on the board two minutes into the match but saw Florida Gulf Coast University score three unanswered and hand the Huskies a 3-1 defeat at Sorrels Field on Wednesday night.
HCU wasted no time getting on the board, as
Henrik Sakshaug laced a ball towards the box that was redirected into the net off a beautiful backheel by
Ryan Okerayi, handing the Huskies an early 1-0 lead.
That lead didn't last long, as FGCU leveled things on a similar goal just 12 minutes later. A pass into the box by Ricardo Felix found Brooks Beeman, whose redirection slipped just past
Harvey Heeps to make a 1-all game.
The Eagles would fly ahead in the just shy of the 29th minute. A long free kick by FGCU was headed out by HCU, but the ball fell squarely to the foot of Flavio D'Angelo. He had a go from just outside the penalty arc, and his missile flew into the goal to give the visitors a 2-1 advantage, which they'd take into the intermission.
As the 57th minute ended the Eagles would add some breathing room with a little help. A giveaway in the back turned into a nice centering pass from Felix that found Emerson LaOrden. After a touch, his shot planted on the back of the net, giving FGCU a commanding 3-1 lead.
FGCU would go a man down in just on the stroke of the 62nd minute. HCU would have eight more cracks at it, with four strong looks on target, but couldn't get anything past Eduard Garcia down the stretch.
The Huskies outshot the Eagles 15-8 in total, 8-5 on target, and earned five corners to just one for the visitors.
The score by Okerayi was his second of the season, and
Henrik Sakshaug earned his first assist.
Harvey Heeps made two saves for the Huskies.
Okerayi's goal was the second fastest of his career at HCU. He scored with exactly one minute gone against Western Illinois University in 2024, and this goal surpasses his game-winner just 2:27 gone in last year's OVC semifinal against Liberty University.
The Eagles (3-4) made the most of their five shots, all coming on target. Beeman, D'Angelo and LaOrden each had a goal while Felix had two helpers.
HCU falls to 2-4-1 on the season, and will take to the road for its final non-conference match of the regular season against longtime rival Oral Roberts University. Kick-off at the Case Soccer Complex on Saturday night in Tulsa is slated for 7 pm.
#DawgsUp
