Lightning Delay and Double Overtime Result in Draw

Thursday, August 26

Houston

7 p.m.

University of Houston

2-0-1, 0-0-0

Stephen F. Austin

0-2-1, 0-0-0

SFA

Houston

Photo by: For Houston Athletics

8/27/2021 12:33:00 AM | Soccer

Box Score

Houston Soccer records first tie of the season

HOUSTON – Houston Soccer was back on home turf Thursday where it tied in-state rival Stephen F. Austin 4-4 after two periods of extra time. The Cougars endured weather challenges early in the second half which resulted in a one hour and 28 minute lightning delay.

Entering halftime, Houston (2-0-1) was tied 1-1 with the Ladyjacks (0-1-2) with a single goal scored by graduate student Zionah Browne, assisted by redshirt senior Jazmin Grant. With a pass from Grant, Browne was able to put it in the bottom left of the net putting the Cougars on the board. In the 23^rd minute, SFA answered with a score of its own tying up the match.

Houston entered the second half ready to break the tie, but the weather put the match on hold around 8:17 p.m., approximately only 10 minutes into the half. Resuming play after multiple lightning strikes in and around the area, the Cougars were able to restart its press despite the delay. Late in the 53^rd minute, redshirt freshman Caitlyn Matthews, with an assist by Browne, pushed the score to 2-1. Soon after, the Ladyjacks tied the score again bringing the match to 2-2.

In the 67^th minute, Houston used an own goal by SFA to take advantage following a corner kick by redshirt senior Mia Brascia. A penalty kick goal scored by the Ladyjacks put them back into a tie with the Cougars, followed by another SFA score shortly after. Houston brought the board back to a tie with a score in the 87^th minute by sophomore Madison Gear who shot off her right foot to put it in the center of the goal.

With the conclusion of regulation, the Cougars and Ladyjacks entered a golden goal-style period of overtime. Neither team was able to put the ball in the net, resulting in a second round of extra time. With a sudden death looming over Houston and SFA, again the clock ran out of time without a score from either team.

For the first time since 2016, the start of the Diego Bocanegra era, Houston Soccer has gone unbeaten in its first three matches. In non-conference competition, Houston has not scored four goals against an opponent since the Sept. 9 match against A&M-Corpus Christi in 2016. The Cougars scored four goals against conference rival ECU on Oct. 22, 2017.

UP NEXT
Houston will be back at the Carl Lewis International Complex at 7 p.m. Sunday to face Houston Baptist.

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