Texas Southern dropped a 6-0 decision to Houston on Sunday evening at the Carl Lewis International Complex.
"We ran into a bigger, more athletic, tough, and deep Houston team today," said head Coach Danesha Adams. "I thought we started the game well and competed. We had some good moments of possession and defended well at times. But eventually, when you knock on the door enough times, you're going to break it down, and I think we just started to wear down as the game went on."
The Cougars controlled the early possession and generated several scoring opportunities, but goalkeeper Alicia Audu helped keep the match scoreless through the opening 24 minutes. Audu recorded saves on early attempts from a pair of UH players before they broke through.
Bailey Cate gave Houston a 1-0 lead in the 25th minute after Audu made the initial save on a shot moments earlier. The Cougars extended their advantage in the 32nd minute on a penalty kick, followed by a goal in the 35th minute to send them into halftime with a 3-0 advantage. Houston added two quick goals early in the second half to make the score 5-0.
Despite the deficit, Texas Southern continued to battle and created its best offensive opportunities late in the match. Servane Blouin placed a shot on frame in the 70th minute while Raegan Salado added another attempt in the 78th minute, but her shot sailed high. Houston added its final goal in the 73rd minute to account for the 6-0 final.
Audu finished the match with nine saves for Texas Southern, facing 21 Houston shots and 14 shots on goal. Blouin and Salado recorded the Tigers' two shots, while Blouin accounted for Texas Southern's lone shot on target.
There are lessons in every game, and this is just another chapter in our season-long book," added Adams. "We'll reset, recover, hopefully get some healthy legs back, and get ready for another tough road weekend before we turn our attention to SWAC play."
TSU is back in action Thursday night at Tarleton State for a 7 p.m. start in Stephenville, Texas.
