CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas -- Led by an experienced offense and solid defense, Houston Soccer notched a late goal to break up a 1-1 stalemate en route to a 2-1 win at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi to open the 2013 season under second-year head coach Chris Pfau on Friday evening.

With the win, the Cougars (1-0-0) have now opened back-to-back seasons with victories, while the Islanders (0-1-0) dropped their inaugural game in their first year as a program.

Houston's offense struck early at the 14:47 mark when junior Alexis Weaver found senior Kylie Cook, who netted the Cougars' first goal of the season and her sixth of her career.

The 1-0 lead held until the 32-minute mark when the Islanders evened the score with a goal of their own off the foot of Alyssa Miller.

Houston and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi were all square at 1-1 at halftime. The Islanders outshot the Cougars, 4-3 in the opening period, but the work of senior goalkeeper Sydney George kept Texas A&M-Corpus Christi to just one goal as she secured three saves in the opening 45 minutes alone.

Junior Kayla Walker's goal at the 71^st minute in the second half proved to be the game winner as senior Jasmine Martinez found Walker to put Houston up 2-1 late in the game. The goal marked Walker's fifth of her career and second game-winner.

Houston's defense was even more impressive in the final 45 minutes as the Cougars held the Islanders with just two shots, none landing on goal.

The Cougars out shot Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, 9-6 - led by two shots by Cook, Walker and Martinez. Five of Houston's nine shots landed on goal. Islander goalkeeper Audrey Baldwin (0-1-0) recorded three saves, but suffered the loss in the net, while Houston's George (1-0-0) earned her second career win in as many starts at keeper for the Cougars.

POST-GAME QUOTE
"I thought we came out very flat and had a little trouble finding our tempo. With 12 days off since our last game, we were a bit rusty," said Pfau. "The thing I was proud of most was we showed character on the road and came out and did some nice things in second half. We now have to refocus and get ready for a very good Georgia team."

2013 SEASON TICKETS
A season ticket package is available for $50 and is good for all seven home matches. The tickets are also part of a flexible ticket package that is good for any game. With the flexible ticket package, fans are given the opportunity to either use one ticket for each home game or multiple tickets to a few games.

Tickets can be purchased at the Houston Athletics Ticket Office in the Athletics/Alumni Center or on the phone at 713-GO-COOGS (462-6647) Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or online at www.UHCougars.com.

STAY CONNECTED
Follow Houston Soccer on Twitter @UHCougarSoccer and "Like" /HoustonCougarSoccer on Facebook.

UP NEXT
Houston will welcome the Georgia Bulldogs to Carl Lewis Complex on Sunday for its home opening game, slated to begin at 1 p.m.

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