The Cougars will attempt to claw their way back into the conference race for first place as they take on ECU (7-6-1, 2-3-1 C-USA) on Friday at 7 p.m. and Marshall (4-7-2, 2-4 C-USA) on Sunday at 1 p.m. in Robertson Stadium
The Cougars' season is winding down, with the team’s last two home games falling this weekend. | Brianna Leigh Morrison/The Daily Cougar
— their final homestand of the season.
UH went into last weekend’s game tied with Rice for first place, but after a 2-1 loss to UCF and an overtime tie with last place Southern Miss, the Cougars now find themselves three points behind the Owls.
With her team-leading sixth goal of the season in the Cougars’ 2-1 loss to the Knights, senior Lauri Byrne brought her career total to 13. Byrne is now tied with Kara Bullinger and Lindsey Beirger for fifth all-time for the Cougars. Next on the list is Nicole Aubuchon, who finished her career with 15 goals.
The Cougars look to regain their swagger against the Pirates, who they defeated 2-1 last season after losing their previous six meetings. The Pirates are 1-2-1 in C-USA away games and have allowed the second most goals in conference play.
ECU is led by the foot of Amanda Malkiewicz, who has five goals and five assists for the year. Jessica Woodward is close behind with three scores and five assists. The team is coached by Rob Donnenwirth, who is in his 11th season. During his tenure he has gone 169-104-37.
Losers of their last three games, Marshall sits one point back of the Pirates in the C-USA standings. The Cougars have not beaten the Herd since 2005, but look to change that trend Sunday afternoon.
The Herd are led by head coach Kevin Long, who is in his third year with the program. Standouts for Marshall include Angela DeSumma, who has two goals and two assists so far this season. Megan Tabler and Sarah Vinson have both chipped in with two goals each.
Wins this weekend would help the Cougars move closer to securing a spot in the C-USA tournament, the winner of which would receive a bid for the NCAA Championship.
The Cougars are currently tied with Memphis for third, but could move up as they close the season out against the Tigers, UAB and the Owls.
On Oct. 22, the team will travel to Birmingham, Ala. to do battle with the UAB Blazers. The following Sunday the squad will travel to Tenn. to play Memphis.
The season finale comes Oct. 29 when the Cougars face off against the first place Rice Owls.
