Houston soccer draws with UCF in Crucial Big 12 matchup

Houston began its three-game homestand with a draw against UCF, 1-1, in an all-important Big 12 match.

With the Cougars currently sitting in ninth place in the Big 12 standings, they needed a positive result to help them secure a place in the top eight and a spot for the Big 12 Tournament at Fort Worth and Waco in November, with only three games left in the season.

“We got ourselves a chance,” coach Ben Williams said. “A couple of wins will get us close.”

The Knights struck first in the 14th minute, when Central Florida senior forward Liz Worden had a free kick near Houston’s penalty area blocked. After a scramble for the ball, a deflection landed near the Cougars’ goal line.

UH called for an offside but received nothing, and that lapse of concentration allowed Worden to find senior forward Rajanah Reed in acres of space, who then played a pass to junior midfielder Honoka Hamano for the tap-in goal to give UCF the lead.

In the second half, Houston immediately went on the front foot, looking to tie in this crucial matchup.

And the team’s patience was rewarded in the 52nd minute, when the Cougars’ freshman forward Samira Minor launched a speculative high cross from outside the box that somehow landed in the back of the Knights’ net for one of the most unusual goals of the season to make it 1-1. This was Minor’s sixth goal of the season, a team high.

“I saw the ball rolling back, and I looked up, and I saw some white at the back post,” said Minor. “I just tried to put it where they could have an opportunity. The wind did the rest, and I’m glad it did.” 

Afterward, both teams spent stretches alternating attacks, but neither side found a breakthrough.

Houston’s record now stands at 7-3-5, with a 2-3-3 record and nine points in conference play.

The Cougars continue their homestand on Thursday, Oct. 23, when they take on the Kansas State Wildcats at 7 p.m.

cougarsports.one@gmail.com