HOUSTON – Tarleton State battled in the first half against its first Power Four conference opponent since 2024, but ultimately the Big 12's Houston Cougars ran away with Sunday afternoon's contest in the second half.
The Texans (0-1-2) suffered their first defeat of the season, 4-1, on the road in hot Houston, which reached 100 degrees at the Carl Lewis International Complex. Houston (2-0-1) remained undefeated in the early season, but allowed its first goal of the year, with Tarleton State's
Naomi Langille scoring in the 87th minute.
The first half Sunday was competitive throughout, with multiple scoring chances for both teams, a fairly even balanced shot count (12-8), even corner kicks (3-3) and just a 1-0 Cougar lead at the break. Houston scored early to start the second half and never looked back, owning a 15-1 shot advantage in the final 45 minutes, with a 6-0 corner kick mark.
Tarleton State had its best chance of the first half in the 6th minute, on a
Zahra Friess streak that Houston's goalkeeper narrowly made a foot-save on. Houston's Bailey Cate scored in the 18th minute for the first goal of the match, and only goal for either team in the first half.
The Cougars scored three times in the final 45 minutes, a Skylar Miller Goal in the 51st minute, an Elle Sloan score in the 61st minute, and an Adelhia Ghonda goal in the 68th minute on a penalty kick. Tarleton State freshman Langille scored her first collegiate goal in the 87th minute, breaking a 9-0 goal differential start to the season for the Cougars.
Peyton Bryant earned the assist, her first on the year. She was the lone Texan to play all 90 minutes, and has now played the entirety of each of Tarleton State's three matches this season.
Tarleton State started the same 11 for the third time in as many matches.
The Texans now return home for back-to-back home matches. First, Tarleton State hosts UTRGV on Thursday at 7 p.m. on National Burger Day, where the Texans will have a Grumps food truck available for free burgers to first arriving fans to help celebrate. Then on Sunday, Aug. 30, the Texans will host Lamar at 5 p.m. on a Military Appreciation Match.
