University of Houston Athletics
University of Houston
UCF
Season Finale on Deck
4/9/2021 2:21:00 PM | Soccer
Cougars head to Orlando to take on UCF in season finale
ORLANDO – The Houston soccer team will close out the 2021 season on Sunday as it takes on UCF at the UCF Soccer and Track Complex.
Due to the cancelation of the team's matchup with SMU, the Cougars are mathematically eliminated from postseason contention. Despite that, the program is assured to finish the season at least .500 for the first time since 2010 and the fifth time in the 21st century.
The final match is scheduled to start at Noon CT. Streaming can be found here with live stats here.
GRACIA IN GOAL
Only a freshman, Mikaela Gracia earned her first career shutout on Friday against Temple in only her second career start. Now with five saves on the season, Gracia was more than held her own against Division I opponents.
The Mansfield, Texas, native helped her hometown high school win District and Area Championships in 2016 as she was named Newcomer of the Year and was a four-time Player of the Week.
OFFENSIVE UPTICK
Houston has found offensive success across the board this season with 21 goals in 10 games just a year after scoring 23 goals in 20 games. The effort is evenly spread with 15 Cougars either scoring or assisting this season, but also led by a trio up front: Jazmin Grant, Mia Brascia, and Zionah Browne.
All three of those student-athletes have at least three goals and three assists this season while last season only two Cougars did so (Grant and Desiree Bowen.) The group has combined for 11 goals and 10 assists in about 2,000 minutes this year.
Of those 15 Cougars with a point this year, only CaLeigha Callhan, Reid Morrison, and Amy Nguyen will be graduating.
SERIES HISTORY AND SCOUTING UCF
The Cougars and Knights have met 15 previous times with Houston going winless. The two team's last met in the 2019 AAC Quarterfinals.
This season UCF is 2-3-1 with all its games being played within The American Athletic Conference. Offensively the Knights are balanced with three players scoring at least two goals while in net they have started Caroline DeLisle in all six games.
STAY CONNECTED
Follow Houston Soccer on Twitter and Instagram at @UHCougarSoccer, and "Like" UHCougarSoccer on Facebook.
JOIN THE COUGAR RESERVES
Fans can help support the Houston Soccer program by joining the Cougar Reserves. To find out more information about the Cougar Reserves Club, click here or call Cougar Pride at (713) 743-GoUH.
