Cougars Shutout Owls

HOUSTON - After taking a two-goal lead early in the first half, the Houston soccer team never relented on its way to a 2-0 shutout victory over Rice on Thursday night.  
 
The Cougars (3-1-1, 0-1-0 AAC) were led by senior Jazmin Grant who played a role in both scores, notching a goal and an assist on the evening. While Rice (4-2-0, 1-1-0 CUSA) outshot the home team seven to six, the Cougars were more accurate with their attempts and tallied four shots on goal compared to the Owls' three. 

Scoring began early when Zionah Browne set-up Grant for the go-ahead goal in only the 8th minute of the match. Never letting up the pressure, Adriana Hutson found herself alone on a breakaway after a long Grant pass led her forward before she slid the ball into the net in the 24th minute for the second goal of the game. 

Grant and Browne now share the spot atop the Cougars' points leaderboard with six on the season. The pair of Texas natives are each credited with two goals and two assists. 

While there was no scoring the rest of the way, Houston had a strong advantage in possession and pressure throughout the night. The Cougars held the advantage in corner kicks and didn't surrender a single one to the Owls during the second half.  

Goalkeeper Salma Ghazal, named to the American Athletic Conference honor roll earlier this month after a shutout against UTSA, continued to stand strong in net for the Cougars. Ghazal made three more saves on the night, bringing her season total up to nine. In 385 minutes of play this season, Ghazal has allowed only two goals.  
 
Houston travels to Memphis for an American Athletic Conference match on Sunday. The squad returns home the following sunday against Tulsa to celebrate Senior Day.  

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Fans can help support the Houston Soccer program by joining the Cougar Reserves. To find out more information about the Cougar Reserves Club, click here or call Cougar Pride at (713) 743-GoUH.