The Howard University men’s and women’s soccer teams played their season opener games this week. While the women’s game against George Washington University (GWU) concluded in a scoreless draw, the men’s team fell 0-1 against the University of Delaware.
After winning the Northeastern Conference championship in 2024 and finishing the 2025 season with a 9-7-3 record on the women’s side and recording a 5-11-2 record on the men’s side, both teams look to build on last season despite going winless to start the season.
The women opened up their season at home to a filled crowd at Greene Stadium on Aug. 19. GWU attempted nine shots on goal; however, senior goalkeeper Trinity Knox notched nine saves, securing the shutout.
The Bison were held scoreless as well, and by the end, Howard attempted nine shots with two on goal, each saved by GWU.
“One thing we do need to improve on is our attacking ability,” said senior midfielder Asia Mickens-Perez. “I thought we had a lot of good opportunities in the first half, but we need to be able to put a full 90 minutes together…so that we can come out with a win.”
Compared to their exhibition matches, junior forward Demi Owens saw improvements on the defensive end. She felt the defensive line was a lot more connected this game, helping record the shutout.
Looking to expand on the previous season’s success, the team has high expectations.
“I expect to take home another [Northeastern Conference] championship this season,” said Owens, a psychology major from Teaneck, New Jersey. “I think the squad is good…we’re connecting well at a faster rate than we did last season.”
The men’s team traveled away from home for the start of their season on Aug. 20. Playing no exhibition matches prior to this season’s opener, this was the first official look at the team this season.
The team was shorthanded due to injuries obtained while playing during the summer. With only 13 of the 28 players healthy, the Bison had to constantly battle fatigue, but still held their own.
With a draw looming, Delaware scored in the final minutes of the game, leaving only six minutes for the Bison to record a goal of their own.
Senior goalkeeper Liam Keiller recorded nine saves to Delaware’s 33 shots, 10 on goal.
Junior forward Daniil Kaban attacked throughout the game with three shot attempts, leading the Bison.
Head men’s soccer coach Philip Gyau said that the team played the most connected during the first 15 minutes of the game. Ultimately, missing two shots on goal could have been the deciding factor of the game.
“In soccer, if you miss those chances, they will come back and haunt you, and that’s precisely what [they] did,” Gyau said. “We missed those chances; we didn’t score. They got their chance, and they scored.”
Gyau appreciated the younger players stepping up and playing an exceptional game, despite the absence of the injured players.
“Freshman or seniors is just a classification,” Gyau said. “We had several freshmen on the field, and they were able to play well. I think that once conference comes around, we’re going to do very, very well.”
Copy edited by Daryl R. Thomas Jr.