PREVIEW: Soccer Faces #18 West Virginia on Friday

HOUSTON — The University of Houston Soccer team looks to continue its undefeated start to Big 12 Conference play when it hosts #18 West Virginia at 7 p.m. Friday from the Carl Lewis International Complex.

The Cougars (7-1-3, 3-0 Big 12) welcome West Virginia (6-2-1, 1-1-1 Big 12) for their third trip to Houston in its Pink Out and Alumni Game.

Fans are encouraged to wear their pink, and Alumni in attendance will be recognized throughout the match. A formal alumni day will be scheduled for the spring with an announcement coming soon.

Watch | Stats | Tickets | Game Notes

LAST TIME OUT
The Cougars secured a 1-0 win against Oklahoma State. Junior Skylar Miller recorded her second header and sixth goal of the season to put Houston up in the 41^st minute.

Houston won its third straight Big 12 Conference game for the first time since joining the league and the first time opening conference play with three-straight wins for the first time since 2010.

ABOUT THE COUGARS

Houston returns 14 players from the 2025 season including three players that missed last season due to injuries.

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. It is the second consecutive season Maddox has been voted a captain.

Sophomore Bailey Cate and junior Skylar Miller lead the Cougars with six goals each on the season.

Twelve Cougars have scored a goal this season including four with multiple goals.

Houston goalkeepers have combined for seven shutouts this season.

Houston leads the Big 12 in five different statistical categories including seventh in the country in goal differential.

The Cougars are looking for their fourth win in Big 12 Conference play for the first time since entering the league. Houston has not won four-straight conference games since 2010.

Houston is searching for its first ranked win since 2021 when they beat #23 Memphis, 1-0 (Oct. 21).

The Cougars are #33 in the RPI.

ABOUT WEST VIRGINIA

West Virginia enters Sunday's match with a 6-2-1 record and 1-1-1 in conference play.

The Mountaineers are #18 in the IWSOC weekly poll.

West Virginia comes into the week at #14 in the RPI.

In their last match, the Mountaineers defeated Iowa State, 2-0 in Ames, Iowa.

Head Coach Nikki Izzo-Brown is in her 31st season with the Mountaineers and owns a 416-146-80.

Junior Sophia Nickel leads the Mountaineers with four goals this season.

Goalkeeper Bailey Herfurth has recorded 23 saves and led the team to four shutouts

HISTORY WITH WEST VIRGINIA

Sunday's match marks just the fourth meeting between Houston and Oklahoma State.

The Mountaineers lead the series, 2-1.

This is the third trip to Houston for West Virginia.

In the last meeting, West Virginia won 3-2 in Morgantown, W. Va. (Oct. 10, 2025).

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.

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.

− UHCougars.com –

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Bailey Cate

Morgan Donohue

Casey Maddox

Skylar Miller

Ella Morgan

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