THURSDAY'S SCORES
@HCU 3, Eastern Illinois 0
Liberty 2, @Southern Indiana 2
SIUE 0, @Lindenwood 0
Western Illinois 0, @UIW 0
HCU 3, EASTERN ILLINOIS 0
HOUSTON - Houston Christian University returned to Sorrels Field for the first time in a month on Thursday evening and claimed a decisive 3-0 victory over visiting Eastern Illinois University.
HCU got two solid looks early in the game, one each by D'Alessandro Herrera and Ryan Okerayi. A shot by Casey Welage was stabbed by Alex Aitken in the 16th minute, as the two teams continued to try and establish tempo.
Four minutes later, the Huskies would break the ice. A solid build up down the right side culminated with D'Alessandro Herrera finding Joby Reid for a quick flick to Ryan Okerayi. The junior took one touch before firing a left-footed missile from outside the area to the top left shelf, handing the hosts a one-nil lead halfway into the 20th minute.
The advantage would double 10 minutes later. Ricardo Garcia won a ball outside his own box and made a beautiful pass from just outside the halfway line to D'Alessandro Herrera streaking up the right channel. Herrera would then shovel a pass to Joby Reid just outside the 18-yard box. He held off a defender and laced his own left-footed shot to the back of the twine, a second goal for the Huskies that mirrored the opener.
EIU didn't go quietly and put three strong looks on target in an eight-minute span midway through the second session, all saved by Aitken. As the clock hit the 81st minute, Ron Pressler made a strong run down the left flank and was shoved in the back just inside the penalty area, a foul that resulted in a red card and a penalty kick. Ryan Okerayi was on point from the spot, knocking home his fourth penalty kick of the season for his second goal of the night that finished off the scoring.
Okerayi collected the first brace of his career, upping his team-leading goal count to seven on the season. He put three of his four shots on the night on target and had his third game-winner of the year with the opening strike.
Joby Reid's third goal of the season was the second tally in his last three while also notching his team-best fourth assist of the season. D'Alessandro Herrera registered his first two helpers of the season, his third career game with two assists.
Alex Aitken earned his sixth shutout of the season, making five saves against 13 shots. It was the 18th clean sheet of his career, tying him for the top spot all-time with former keeper and former Head Coach Benny Agosto.
All told the two teams were even on the night at 13 shots apiece with the Huskies getting one more on goal, 6-5. Ben Griffis and Fabricio Roberti led the Panthers with two shots apiece while goalkeeper Lucas Ortiz made three saves for EIU, now 1-7-2 overall and 0-3-1 in the OVC.
HCU improves to 7-3-1 overall and 2-1-1 in the OVC to move into second place in the league and first in its four-team pod. The Huskies were the only league team to taste victory on Thursday evening, as the other three matches ended up in draws.
LIBERTY 2, SOUTHERN INDIANA 2
EVANSVILLE, Ind. - University of Southern Indiana Men's Soccer secured its third consecutive result, earning a 2-2 draw with Liberty University on Thursday afternoon at Strassweg Field.
Thursday's draw marks the first time the Screaming Eagles have recorded three straight results since the 2021 season. Sophomore forward David Davila scored two late second-half goals, bringing the game even for the result.
Liberty opened the game hot, taking the lead 4:28 into the match. The Eagles' defense held strong the rest of the half, despite Liberty's eight shots with three on goal. USI was limited to one offensive opportunity through the first 45, as Davila recorded the team's lone shot on goal in the seventh minute.
At the half, USI trailed 1-0 despite getting outshot eight to one and three to one on goal. Freshman goalkeeper Jacob English nabbed two saves through the first half.
The second half started like the first, with Liberty scoring four minutes in to take a two-goal lead. The Eagles' offensive struggles continued late into the match, until the team was awarded a penalty in the 67th minute. Davila stepped up to take the shot, sneaking it past the goalkeeper for his first goal of the match.
Following the first goal, USI's offense sprang to life, applying pressure on Liberty's back line. The pressure culminated in Davila's second goal of the game, assisted by freshman defender Chase Smith off a free kick from beyond the midfield line.
Liberty made a final push in the closing minutes, but the USI defense held strong, stifling the attacks. Liberty got one past English in the final minute, but had the goal recalled due to a Liberty player being offside.
For the game, USI had three players record shots, with Davila recording the most, at four. Sophomore Ahiro Nakamae and freshman Edin Cvorovic each tallied a shot on goal. English finished the game with eight saves, compared to the Flames' goalkeepers' three.
SIUE 0, LINDENWOOD 0
ST. CHARLES, Mo. - SIUE men's soccer and Lindenwood each took away point Thursday night after playing to a scoreless draw at Hunter Stadium.
The Cougars moved to 2-8-1 overall and 1-2-1 in Ohio Valley Conference play. Lindenwood remained unbeaten at 10-0-2 overall and 3-0-1 in the OVC.
SIUE unleashed a season-high 19 shots total and eight on goal. SIUE took 11 shots in the second half alone.
Evan Howard recorded a game-high five shots including two on goal. Both of Howard's shots on goal came in the game's final 90 seconds. His first forced Lindenwood goalkeeper Gavin Roberts to make a sprawling save to his left. Howard's second shot came after the ensuing corner. He put a half-volley on goal from close range.
Hugo Cornish and Mathias Clausen each had two shots on goal for the Cougars.
SIUE goalkeeper Noah Scheidweiler made four saves on his way to his second consecutive shutout in goal.
WESTERN ILLINOIS 0, UIW 0
SAN ANTONIO - Recap coming soon.