University of Houston Athletics
Cougar Soccer Begins Regular Season at Home
8/22/2010 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Aug. 22, 2010
HOUSTON - The University of Houston soccer team begins the 2010 regular season Sunday evening when it faces off against Sam Houston State at Robertson Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
The Cougars return a number of key figures from last year's team including seven starters. Those seven starters will be pushed for playing time by the 10 newcomers that comprised head coach Susan Bush's most talented incoming recruiting class. Bush has switched formations to a 3-4-3 to take advantage of the offensive weaponry and the Cougars will look to attack and push the oppoisiton this year.
Points leaders from last year, senior Lauri Byrne and junior Jessica Zavalza, enter their third season playing together up top and look to continue their continuity. Sophomore Katelyn Rhodes tied Byrne for the team lead in goals scored (3) and hopes to build off her freshman campaign as an attacking presence.
Freshmen Nicole Duarte, Kylie Cook, Danielle Munoz and Jazz Martinez all look to break into the starting lineup.
Houston holds a 4-0 series record against the Bearkats and have scored eight goals while only allowing three. Zavalza scored her first career goal the last time these two teams squared off on Aug. 29, 2008.
The Bearkats dropped their regular season opener at Houston Baptist 1-0. The Cougars topped Houston Baptist 7-0 in their exhibition game.
The game immediately follows Shasta Blast, which is the official start of Houston Cougar Athletics 2010-11 sports seasons. After listening to keynote speaker George Foreman, the student-athletes from other sports will be led by the Spirit of Houston Cougar Marching Band over from the Alumni/Athletic Center to cheer on the Cougars.
COVERAGE
Live stats and play-by-play commentary is available at the Gametracker link at http://www.uhcougars.com/sports/w-soccer/sched/hou-w-soccer-sched.html. Follow @UHCougarSoccer on Twitter for additional coverage amd updates throughout the game and the season.
UP NEXT
The Cougars head out of town on a four-game road swing the next two weekends as they face Louisiana-Lafayette, McNeese State, TCU and Baylor. The next Houston homestand is Sept. 9 and 12 when in-state foes Stephen F. Austin and Texas Southern challenge the Cougars.
