HOUSTON \u2014 The University of Houston Soccer team hosts #3 Vanderbilt for the program’s highest ranked opponent at noon Sunday from the Carl Lewis International Complex.<\/p>\n
Sunday’s match is the first of three events featured on the new Built By Houston punch card. University of Houston students can win prizes when they check into all three featured events on the UH Cougars App.<\/p>\n
Foam cougar paws and schedule posters are also available at the marketing table while supplies last.
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LAST TIME OUT
ABOUT VANDERBILT<\/p>\n
HISTORY WITH VANDERBILT<\/p>\n
\u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2212 UHCougars.com \u2013<\/p>\n
\nHouston and Abilene Christian fought to a scoreless draw on Thursday in Abilene, Texas.
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\nThe Cougars stayed on the attack logging 20 shots on the match, while holding ACU to seven. It was the seventh time Houston has tallied 20 or more shots in a game in the Ben Williams<\/a> era and the third this season.
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\nABOUT THE COUGARS<\/p>\n
\n\tThe Cougars have allowed just two goals to non-conference opponents under Williams.
\n\tWith double-digit shot outputs in their first four games, the Cougars recorded double-digit shots in every non-conference game of the Ben Williams<\/a> Era so far and was the seventh time with 20 or more attempts.
\n\tFive of Houston’s opponents are featured in the United Soccer Coaches Top 25 \u2014 Vanderbilt (T3), West Virginia (7), UCF (14), Kansas (17) and Memphis (24).
\n\tThe Cougars face four opponents for the first time this season. Houston faces FGCU, Northwestern State, Abilene Christian and Vanderbilt for the first time in program history.
\n\tHouston returns 14 players from the 2025 season including three players that missed last season due to injuries.
\n\tAmong those returning is All-Conference standout Samira Minor<\/a> who earned a spot on the All-Big 12 Second Team and All-Big 12 Freshman Team after leading the Cougars with six goals.
\n\tThe Cougars are tied 15th in the country in shots per game. Its 20.5 shots per contest are second in the Big 12 to Kansas State.
\n\tHouston welcomes 15 newcomers including eight transfers and seven freshmen.
\n\tFifth-years Ella Morgan<\/a> and Morgan Donohue<\/a> along with junior Casey Maddox<\/a> were voted captains for the 2026 season.
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\n\tVanderbilt is 4-0 to start the season.
\n\tHead Coach Darren Ambrose is in his 12th season leading the Commodores and owns a 130-65-32 record in Nashville.
\n\tSydney Watts leads the way with four goals, and three assists on the season.
\n\tWatts and Courtney Jones were named to the MAC Hermann Trophy Watchlist.
\n\tFive players were named to the SEC Preseason Watchlist.
\n\tThe Commodores are ranked #3 in both the United Soccer Coaches and Top Draw Soccer Polls.
\n\tIn its last match, Vanderbilt defeated Rice, 4-1, in Houston.
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\n\tThis is the first meeting between Houston and Vanderbilt.
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\nSUPPORT YOUR COOGS
\nFans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Soccer by purchasing tickets<\/a>, providing NIL opportunities<\/a> and by joining the Golden Goal Club<\/a> which provides financial support directly to Houston Soccer for needs beyond its operating budget.
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\nSTAY CONNECTED
\nFans can receive updates by following @UHCougarSoccer<\/a> 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<\/a> or on the team’s Instagram page at @uhcougarsoccer<\/a>.<\/p>\n