The University of Houston soccer team opened Big 12 Conference play in dominant fashion, earning a 3-1 win over Cincinnati on Thursday evening at the Carl Lewis International Complex.
With the victory, Houston (6-0-2, 1-0) claimed its first conference-opening win since joining the Big 12 in 2023. The Cougars continued their offensive consistency, recording 15 shots and holding the Bearcats (2-3-4, 0-1) to just three attempts—all coming in the second half. Houston has now posted double-digit shot totals in every match this season.
After a slow start, junior Ava Shannon broke through in the 33rd minute, capitalizing on a well-placed pass from junior Adelhia Ghonda. Freshman forward Samira Minor then stole the spotlight, notching her first career brace. She converted a pair of crosses, the first from sophomore Amanda Adams in the 60th minute and the second from senior Cameryn Maddox in the 72nd.
Cincinnati managed to halt Houston’s four-match shutout streak in the 74th minute, when Rylee Felton and Kayla Gaynor combined to set up Coley Sidloski for a one-on-one finish against the goalkeeper.
