University of Houston Athletics
Thursday, August 20
Houston, TX
7 PM
University of Houston
vs
Northwestern State
PREVIEW: Houston Hosts Northwestern State in Home Opener Thursday
8/19/2026 2:07:00 PM | Soccer
Cougars and Demons meet for first time at 7 p.m.
HOUSTON — The University of Houston Soccer team hosts Northwestern State in its home opener at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Carl Lewis International Complex.
Free schedule posters will be available at the marketing table while supplies last.
ABOUT THE COUGARS
SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Soccer by purchasing tickets, providing NIL opportunities and by joining the Golden Goal Club which provides financial support directly to Houston Soccer for needs beyond its operating budget.
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STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarSoccer on X, formerly known as Twitter, and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at UHCougarSoccer or on the team's Instagram page at @uhcougarsoccer.
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Free schedule posters will be available at the marketing table while supplies last.
ABOUT THE COUGARS
- The Cougars opened the season with a scoreless draw against FGCU on Wednesday, Aug. 12.
- The shutout is the fifth-straight non-conference shutout, dating back to Sept. 1, 2025. The Cougars have allowed just one goal to non-conference opponents in the Ben Williams Era.
- The Cougars face their second-straight reigning conference champion as Northwestern State won the Southland Conference in 2025. They will face five conference champions this season.
- Six of Houston's opponents are featured in the United Soccer Coaches Top 25 — Vanderbilt (T3), Baylor (6), Kansas (12), TCU (15), Memphis (21) and West Virginia (22)
- The Cougars face four opponents for the first time this season. Houston faces FGCU, Northwestern State, Abilene Christian and Vanderbilt for the first time in program history.
- Houston returns 14 players from the 2025 season including three players that missed last season due to injuries.
- Among those returning is All-Conference standout Samira Minor who earned a spot on the All-Big 12 Second Team and All-Big 12 Freshman Team after leading the Cougars with six goals.
- The Cougars return more than 70 percent of their production from last season as 24 of the team's 34 goals are back along with 62.5 percent of assists also returning.
- Houston welcomes 15 newcomers including eight transfers and seven freshmen.
- Fifth-years Ella Morgan and Morgan Donohue along with junior Casey Maddox were voted captains for the 2026 season.
- Northwestern State is the reigning Southland Conference Champions.
- Head Coach Ian Brophy is in his fourth season leading the Demons with a 30-25-8 record at Northwestern State.
- All-Southland Conference performers Riley Stern, Paige Baumgartner, Hosane Soukou return for Northwestern State.
- Koukou was the league's Freshman of the Year in 2025.
- The Demons have been shutout in their first two meetings, allowing 14 total goals in their two losses.
- This is the first meeting between Houston and Northwestern State.
SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Soccer by purchasing tickets, providing NIL opportunities and by joining the Golden Goal Club which provides financial support directly to Houston Soccer for needs beyond its operating budget.
Â
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarSoccer on X, formerly known as Twitter, and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at UHCougarSoccer or on the team's Instagram page at @uhcougarsoccer.
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− UHCougars.com –
Players Mentioned
Tuesday, October 28
Wednesday, October 01
Friday, May 09
Thursday, January 30