Soccer

Soccer squad shooting to keep 6-game win streak alive

The Cougars are riding a wave of momentum they hope to take to Orlando, Fla., and Hattiesburg, Miss. | Brianna Morrison/The Daily Cougar

The Cougars will take their talent on the road this weekend to face UCF on Friday and Southern Mississippi on Sunday. The team is tied with Rice for first place in Conference USA with 12 points.

UCF plays an aggressive offensive style similar to the Cougar’s and are right behind them in the Conference USA standings at 3-0-1 with 10 points.

“It feels awesome,” sophomore Katelyn Rhodes said. “We were never near that position last year and only being a sophomore, it feels great. I’m ready to see how our team performs this week to keep us in that place.”

The Cougars have yet to beat UCF and are 0-5 against them all-time. Last year the Knights took down the Cougars 2-1.

Sunday UH will battle the Golden Eagles, who are winless in conference play.

In games against Southern Miss., UH is 9-0-2. Last season they edged out the Golden Eagles 2-1.

Rhodes said that the team’s on-field chemistry has grown because its high fitness level allows them to dedicate more practice time to playing soccer.

“With us being able to play more soccer, we’ve been able to click better. We were able to have a lot of playing time before the season and that has helped a lot,” said Rhodes.

Another vital part of the Cougars’ success has been the play of freshman goalkeeper Cami Koski, who was awarded Co-C-USA Defensive Player of the Week honors after recording her fourth consecutive shutout over UTEP Sunday.

Freshman standout Nicole Duarte did not play in the Cougars 2-0 victory over the Miners due to an ankle injury, but will be back in action this weekend. Duarte ranks third on the team in goals scored with three.

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