After a turnaround season, Houston soccer looks to take next step

In 2025, Houston soccer completed one of the best turnarounds in program history, finishing the season with a 7-4-7 record after going 4-12-1 in 2024. It was the Cougars’ first winning season since 2021.

Despite four losses in Big 12 play, the Cougars gained 11 points with two wins and five draws, and at one point, were locked in a four-way tie for the eighth and final spot in the conference tournament.

A 2-0 loss in the season finale against Big 12 regular-season champion and national tournament semifinalist TCU ended their season in heartbreak.

Now the Cougars are back, looking to finish what they started and achieve their first conference tournament berth since 2021 in the American Athletic Conference.

Same staff, same energy

Having the same coaching staff season after season helps breed continuity, as while some things may change, the players know how the system works and are able to further trust in their staff to help with their development. That’s what Houston has going for itself, as coach Ben Williams retains his entire coaching staff from last season, with assistant coach Peter Mulamba, assistant coach Izzie Vaccari, goalkeepers coach Brooke Bradley and player development coordinator Howard Sturgeon all strapped in for year two of the Williams era.

Back in January, Mulamba was promoted to associate head coach, a big step up in his coaching career. “Obviously, you are honored to be counted as such,” Mulamba said. “To get recognized that way is really cool.”

Defense wins championships

The defense was the base for last season, conceding only 14 goals in 18 games, and remains the starting point for how the team is built.

The goalkeeper position was the top priority, as the entire department from 2025  had to be rebuilt from the ground up due to players transferring out and careers ending to an end. The star signing of this unit is junior Sierra McCluer, who played two seasons under Williams at Stephen F. Austin, winning the 2025 Southland Conference Goalkeeper of the Year award.

McCluer, who has been coached by Williams since 11 years old, couldn’t say no when she was given the opportunity to play for him once more.

“I’ve known him for a long time. He’s been my coach multiple times,” McCluer said. “He’s a special coach. You’re never gonna find someone like him. Once I was at SFA, I knew that once he left, I was gonna have to leave too.”

The unit was hit with unfortunate news early on, as junior Molly Wissman had to medically retire from the sport. 

“Molly kind of hit an unfortunate path, and she’s gonna medically retire, so she won’t be with us this year,” Williams said.

Senior defender Jocelyn Chinea, sophomore defender Amaris Bumba and junior defender Blake Hodgson return to help keep stability in the defense, with fifth-year defender Ella Morgan, who had to redshirt last season due to injury, bringing in leadership and experience.

“She’s someone who actually loves to defend, like pure defend,” Williams said when talking about Morgan. “That’s very rare nowadays. We all see her throw her body in front of anything. She’ll get in front of everything.”

Attack, attack, attack

Despite a 3-1 win over Cincinnati, the most goals scored in a Big 12 game in program history, Houston’s offense at times struggled to establish itself consistently from game to game, something that Williams sought to correct.

“Just a bit more quality in the final third,” Williams said. “I think when it gets difficult down the stretch, especially in the last 10 minutes, we have to be much better.”

Sophomore forward Samira Minor is looking to build off her freshman season, where she led the team with six goals and 15 points, while earning All-Big 12 Second and Freshman Team honors. Forward Adelhia Ghonda is also back for her senior season, with her hold-up play a vital asset in allowing her teammates to make runs.

Williams brought in quality transfers to boost the quality in the final third, including SEC transfers junior Skylar Millar from Tennessee and sophomore Bailey Cate from Texas A&M.

What’s next

After coming close to making the Big 12 tournament last season, the Cougars are looking to take another step in season two of the Williams era. It begins on Aug. 12 at Fort Myers, Fla., as Houston takes on the ASUN Graphite Division Champion Florida Gulf Coast.