University of Houston Athletics
Cougar Soccer Heads to Louisiana
8/26/2010 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Aug. 26, 2010
Friday - 7 p.m.
Houston Cougars (1-0-0) at Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns (2-0-0)
Ragin' Cajuns Track/Soccer Facility, Louisiana, La.
Sunday - 1 p.m.
Houston Cougars (1-0-0) at McNeese State Cowgirls (0-2-0)
Cowgirl Field, Lake Charles, La.
HOUSTON - The Houston soccer team crosses the state line this weekend to face Louisiana-Lafayette on Friday and McNeese State on Sunday. The Friday night game kicks off at 7 p.m. and the Sunday match starts at 1 p.m.
The Cougars opened the season with a 7-0 win in an exhibition match against Houston Baptist and followed that performance with a 1-0 decision over Sam Houston State.
Senior Melanie Adelman provided the game winner against Sam Houston State in the 20th minute with an assist from freshman Kylie Cook. Freshman goalkeeper Chelsea Meyers earned her first career start, shutout and victory all in the same game against the Bearkats.
Houston has started the season with a fresh start and a number of fresh faces from last year's campaign.
"We started the season with an idea of what we wanted to do and have modified that plan a little," head coach Susan Bush said. "We have a lot of new face, and that has added a lot of depth for us. We are a really deep team and have great conditioning;, we hope to use that to our advantage."
Bush sees this first road campaign as a good chance to put practice into motion.
"Hopefully we can go on the road, compete really hard and improve in team play each and every day. We're always striving for improvement. That's our goal."
Fans can follow the games this weekend at the Gametracker link on UHCougars.com.
LOUISIANA-LAFAYETTE
The Ragin' Cajuns are 2-0-0 this season and opened their 2010 campaign with a 1-0 win over McNeese State. The Ragin' Cajuns defeated Mississippi Valley 4-0 with two goals coming from senior captain Kelli Jestes. With her performance this past Sunday, Jestes tied teammate Courtney Hofland in career points,
The Cougars are 5-1-0 all-time against Louisiana-Lafayette and have won four straight. Junior Jessica Zavalza scored both goals the last times these two teams faced (Sept. 5, 2008) and in a 2-0 Houston victory. Junior Stephanie Derieg provided an assist on the second goal.
MCNEESE STATE
The Cowgirls are 0-2-0 with losses to Louisiana-Lafayette and a 7-0 setback at Baylor. McNeese State returns their top goal scorer, senior Alana Clark, who totaled nine goals a season ago.
Houston holds a 2-0-0 all-time record against McNeese State, winning both games in 1998 and 2006 by the score 3-1.
UP NEXT
Houston is on the road next weekend with matches at TCU Sept. 3 and at Baylor Sept. 5.
SOCCER TAILGATING
The mothers of the soccer student-athletes are organizing a pregame soccer tailgate for home games. Students and fans are encouraged to come out to support your Cougars and enjoy some pregame festivities. Stay tuned for more information.
