Cougars Cruise Past Northwestern State in Home Opener

Thursday, August 20

Houston, TX

7 PM

University of Houston

1-0-1, 0-0-0

Northwestern State

0-3-0, 0-0-0

Team	1	2	Final F
Northwestern St.	0	0	0
Houston	3	2	5

Cougars Cruise Past Northwestern State in Home Opener

8/20/2026 9:53:00 PM | Soccer

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Sophomore Samira Minor tallies second-career brace in 5-0 win over Demons

HOUSTON — The University of Houston Soccer team cruised past Northwestern State, 5-0, in its home opener on Thursday at the Carl Lewis International Complex.

The Cougars (1-0-1) opened the scoring early with a tap-in past the goalkeeper from sophomore Samira Minor in the second minute.

Senior Danielle Shannon doubled up the Demons (0-3) in the 26th minute after a deflected shot landed at her feet at the edge of the box.

After a handball that was called inside the box was confirmed by VAR in the 29th minute, Minor sank the penalty kick for her second-career brace as the Cougars led 3-0 at the half.

Sophomore Bailey Cate kept the scoring going in the second half when she found a ball at her feet in front of the goal in the 50th minute.

Houston's fifth goal of the night came in the 58th minute when fifth year Laney Gonzales lobbed a cross to Shannon who found junior Skylar Miller who headed the ball into the net.

The Cougars stayed on the attack logging 22 shots while holding the Demons to two on the match.

UP NEXT
The Cougars are back at the Carl Lewis International Complex 1 p.m., Sunday when they host Tarleton State for Kids Day and Mental Health Awareness Day.

Coloring pages and green ribbons will be available at the marketing table while supplies last and a kids zone will be set up adjacent to the stadium. Tickets for Sunday's match are available here.

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.

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