The title of the “Real HU” remains in Washington, D.C. for now, as the Bison defeated rival Hampton University 4-1 during the inaugural HBCU Women’s Soccer Invitational, hosted at Audi Field last week.
The Bison’s victory on Aug. 17 started the season with a celebration of Black excellence and a showcase of HBCU talent per the Audi Field website.
“I think this was a great start to the HBCU Invitational,” said Brent Leiba, the head coach of the women’s soccer team. “Whether it’s us or any other HBCU that can have the opportunity to experience this, I think it’s great for the game and for our HBCU programs.”
The inaugural event sparked a special moment for the 2024 NEC Defensive Player of the Year, Rachel Suttle, who contributed a goal to the Bison’s win.
“After the game, there was a little girl and her dad who asked for a picture,” said Suttle, a graduate center back. “It probably didn’t mean much to them, but that meant everything to me just because I saw myself in her. That is honestly why I enjoy playing, to be a representative of what’s possible for little girls, little Black girls especially.”
This win also brings Howard’s all-time record against Hampton to 4-1-0 and comes just three days after the reigning Northeast Conference (NEC) champs’ season-opening 0-2 loss to the University of North Florida (UNF).
“At the end of the [UNF] game, everyone felt the same about losing,” said sophomore forward Gabriella Garcia-Terrell. “If we are going to do well this season, then we all have to be on the same page and hungry to score goals.”
Sophomore forward Sinclaire Green scored her first collegiate goal, putting the Bison ahead 1-0 before halftime. Garcia-Terrell followed by scoring two of the team’s four goals, earning game MVP, being named NEC Player of the Week, and building on her reputation as the reigning NEC Rookie of the Year.
This year’s win at the HBCU invitation adds to last season’s legacy, where the Bison captured both the regular season and tournament titles in the NEC. Despite these accomplishments, the Bison said they won’t remain complacent.
“Everyone [on the team] recognizes that we’re earning all these accolades and we’ve done this already, but that’s in the past now,” said sophomore Trinity Knox, the 2024 NEC Goalkeeper of the Year. “Our work’s just not done yet, so now we just look forward and keep working towards our next game.”
Copy edited by Daryl Thomas Jr.
