Houston Dynamo FC shines in latest victory, Head Coach Ben Olsen and players earn honors

By Chris Price

Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (September 21, 2023) Houston Dynamo FC is on fire, and their recent victory over Vancouver Whitecaps FC is proof of their determination and skill. The team, led by head coach Ben Olsen, captain Hector Herrera, and defender Griffin Dorsey, secured an impressive 4-1 win at Shell Energy Stadium, landing them in fourth place in the Western Conference.

This victory extends Houston's unbeaten streak to an impressive seven league matches, marking their best performance since August 2012. Furthermore, the Dynamo's presence in the top five of the conference standings through at least 25 games is a significant achievement, not seen since 2017.

Captain Héctor Herrera played a pivotal role in the win, opening the scoring in the 13th minute with a cleverly executed free-kick, which deflected off the Vancouver wall into the net. This goal marked Herrera's fourth of the season, and he also recorded his 14th assist, elevating him to second place in MLS for assists.

Griffin Dorsey, a standout defender, showcased his versatility by netting his first goal of the season in the 44th minute. His precise strike from the right side found the top far corner of the net, leaving Vancouver's defenders helpless. Dorsey also contributed defensively, winning possession four times and tallying two clearances.

Remarkably, Coach Ben Olsen was recognized for his leadership, becoming the second Dynamo coach to be named to the Team of the Matchday. This honor came after assistant coach Brendan Burke led the team to a 4-0 victory over LAFC while Olsen served a one-game suspension.

This season, eleven Houston players have been named to the Team of the Matchday, underscoring the team's depth and talent. With Herrera, Dorsey, and many other standout performers, the Dynamo are poised for a strong finish in the league.

The Dynamo's next challenge takes them to Children's Mercy Park, where they will face Sporting KC on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. CT. Following that, they will travel to South Florida to compete against the formidable Inter Miami CF in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup final on Wednesday, September 27.

Air Force soars to victory over Sam Houston State in defensive battle

Story and photo by Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (September 9, 2023) In a showdown at the Salute to Service Classic at NRG Stadium, Air Force emerged victorious with a hard-fought 13-3 win over Sam Houston State on Saturday might The game was marked by tenacious defense from both sides, but it was Air Force's late surge that ultimately secured the victory.

The first half of the game was a defensive slugfest, with both teams battling fiercely to gain the upper hand. Sam Houston's defense showed great resilience, allowing only three points to Air Force in the opening half. The Bearkats' determination kept them in the game, despite their offensive struggles.

Sam Houston's offense struggled to find its rhythm until the third quarter, managing just 80 total yards in the game. The turning point came when fullback Emmanuel Michel broke free for a 22-yard gain. However, linebacker Kavian Gaither's relentless pursuit forced a fumble, and Dakerric Hobbs pounced on the ball at the Kats' 38-yard line.

This turnover gave Sam Houston a glimmer of hope. Running back Zach Hrbacek took charge, gaining 14 yards on three carries to penetrate Air Force territory for the first time. Quarterback Keegan Shoemaker contributed with an eight-yard keeper, and despite facing a daunting sack, he remained composed. A seven-yard pass to Hrbacek and a 10-yard connection to Ife Adeyi kept the drive alive.

Overcoming a holding penalty, Shoemaker demonstrated his poise, connecting with Noah Smith for a crucial 13-yard gain. This set the stage for Colby Sessums, who nailed a 45-yard field goal to end a six-quarter scoring drought for the Kats, leveling the game.

As the fourth quarter began, Air Force managed to break the tie with their second 42-yard field goal. The Falcon's unyielding defense continued to stifle Sam Houston, allowing them to regain control of the game. Fullback Owen Burk sealed the victory for Air Force with a five-yard touchdown run, putting the Falcons ahead by ten points with just over five minutes remaining.

HCU Huskies face tough game against Western Kentucky

Photo by Darla S Tamulitis, La Vida Loco Photography, Copyright 2023, All Rights Reserved

By Chris Price
Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (September 9, 2023) The HCU Huskies are hitting the road this Saturday under the leadership of head coach Braxton Harris, and they're gearing up for a challenging matchup against FBS and Conference USA rival, the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers The game is scheduled for a 6:00 p.m. kickoff and will be broadcasted on ESPN+.

The Huskies are entering this contest with high spirits following a dominant season opener that saw them trounce Arkansas Baptist 66-0. This victory not only marked the third-highest point total in the program's history. The team showcased their prowess by accumulating an impressive 473 yards of total offense while holding the Buffaloes to just 132 yards.

Redshirt freshman Champ Dozier (#1, shown above) emerged as a star, rushing for 97 yards and three touchdowns, earning him the Southland Conference Offensive Player of the Week accolade. Jesse Valenzuela also made a big impact, averaging 20.7 yards per carry with 62 yards on three carries. Quarterbacks Colby Suits and Justin Fomby were in sync, completing 16 of 20 passes for 232 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions.

Defensively, junior linebacker Josh Ferguson was a force to be reckoned with, tallying 3.5 tackles for loss, including an eight-yard sack. All-American linebacker Rodney Dansby led the team with 10 tackles, and Jalyx Hunt had a memorable moment with his first career "airfat" (an interception returned for a touchdown).

On the other side, Western Kentucky is coming off a solid 41-24 victory over South Florida, with senior quarterback Austin Reed leading the charge. 

Pasadena HS Varsity Volleyball downs South Houston 3-1

Photo by Kristine Kelly, Copyright 2023, All Rights Reserved

By Chris Price 
Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved

PASADENA, TEXAS (September 8, 2023) The Pasadena High School Eagles volleyball teams hosted the South Houston Trojans on Friday afternoon and evening to kick off their District 22-6A season on all three levels of competition 

The varsity squad pushed their district record to 1-0 after downing the Trojans 3-1 by the scores of 26-24, 26-28, 25-13, and 25-10.

The sub-varsity teams did not fair so well, with the Freshmen A squad falling 18-25 and 21-25. The B squad also dropped their match to South Houston, however the score was not available at the time of this article's publication.

In the junior varsity's match, the Eagles fell in straight sets 15-25 and 25-26.

Next up for the Eagles is a Tuesday, September 12 matchup against the Dobie Longhorns with a 4:30 p.m. start at the J. Frank Dobie HS main campus gymnasium.

Houston Dash fall short against San Diego Wave FC

Video courtesy of Houston Dash

By Chris Price
Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA (September 3, 2023) In an intense showdown on the soccer field, the Houston Dash faced off against San Diego Wave FC, and it was a game that kept fans at the edge of their seats. Despite their best efforts, the Dash ultimately fell to the Wave 1-0, and here's how it all unfolded.

The turning point of the match came in the 33rd minute when Dash defender Michelle Alozie received a red card for denying a goal-scoring opportunity. The video assistant referee reviewed the play, confirming the call and leaving the Dash with only 10 players on the field.

San Diego's Christen Westphal seized the moment and found Jaedyn Shaw inside the box, where Shaw netted the sole goal of the game.

The Dash fought back valiantly, with midfielder Marissa Viggiano's seventh-minute shot marking their first attempt. However, it sailed off target. Moments later, Kyra Carusa and Danielle Colaprico from the Wave both had opportunities, but their shots missed the mark.

Forward Nichelle Prince made her season debut, displaying incredible resilience after recovering from a ruptured Achilles' tendon in 2022. Although she helped spark a promising cross, the Dash couldn't convert the opportunity.

Defender Katie Lind made a crucial clearance in the 25th minute, preventing a potential threat from Alex Morgan. Dash goalkeeper Jane Campbell made nine saves throughout the match, showcasing her exceptional skills and marking her 402nd career save in regular season play.

As the second half began, Houston found themselves under heavy pressure. A close call came when Morgan's shot bounced off the crossbar, and Rachel Hill's header missed the target.

Dash defender Caprice Dydasco played a pivotal role, making a goal line clearance in the 62nd minute to deny Carusa. She ended the match with five clearances and two interceptions.

In the 82nd minute, Brazilian midfielder Andressa Alves made her debut for the NWSL and the Houston Dash, adding to the excitement for Dash fans. Alves had recently returned from the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

HCU Huskies overpower Arkansas Baptist Buffaloes, 66-0

Champ Dozier (1) scored three TDs for the Huskies.
Photo by Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography, Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (September 2, 2023) The Houston Christian University Huskies scored the third most points in program history as they downed the Arkansas Baptist College Buffaloes by the score of 66-0 at Husky Stadium on Houston on Saturday. The win kicks off the "new era" of Huskies football under head coach Braxton Harris. 

The Huskies found the end zone on their first set of downs when quarterback Colby Suits connected with wide receiver Calvin Wiggins for 13 yards and the touchdown. Dillon Fedor converted the extra point to give HCU a 7-0 lead at the 12:54 in the first quarter. The Husky scoring drive consisted of four plays and 57 yards and lasted 1:12.

After both teams failed to make significant progress, HCU got the ball back late in the first quarter and drove 43 yards in six plays when Suits this time found wide receiver Karl Reynolds open for a 21-yard touchdown pass. Fedor again added the extra point with 3:22 remaining in the first quarter. 

Jalyx Hunt (13) returned an interception for a TD for HCU.
Photo by Darla S. Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved

The Buffaloes took over and on their third play, quarterback Damon Mapp was intercepted by linebacker Jalyx Hunt, who returned the ball for the Husky's third touchdown of the night. With Fedor again splitting the uprights to give HCU a 21-0 lead after 15 minutes of play.

Arkansas Baptist got down into the Husky red-zone early in the second half, but after numerous attempts, and penalties on both sides, they had to settle for a field goal attempt. With the ball on the seven-yard line, David Anorve kicked the ball for a 27-yard attempt, which was blocked. HCU picked up the ball and tried to advance it, but was shut down by the Buffaloes.

The Huskies took over on the own 27-yard line and proceeded down the field; covering the 73 yards in five plays and 1:52 for their fourth touchdown of the evening. Running back Champ Dozier rushed the final 19 yards for the score. He also added HCU's fifth touchdown of the game with 5:13 remaining in the half, with a 16-yard run.

In the third quarter, the Huskies added 17 points to their total; from a 23-yard run by Dozier, a 20-yard run by Jesse Valenzuela, along with a 32-yard field goal and two extra points by Fedor, taking the score to 52-0 after 45 minutes of play.

In the fourth quarter, the Huskies mainly kept the ball on the ground in an attempt to run the clock out, however they scored two additional touchdowns. The scores came as a result of a 41-yard pass from quarterback Justin Fomby to wide receiver AJ Wilson, and a six-yard run by Darryle Evans.

Sults completed 7-of-11 passes for 139 yards and two touchdowns. Fomby, in his backup role, was 7-of-7 for 93 yards and one TD. Dozier led all rushers with 11 carries for 97  yards and three touchdowns, while Wilson caught three passes for 66 yards and one touchdown. Defensively, Rodney Darsby tallied 10 tackles and one tackle for a loss.

Next up for the Huskies is a September 9 road trip to take on Western Kentucky with a 6 p.m. start. The Hilltoppers downed South Florida by the score of 41-24 in Bowling Green in their first game of the 2023 season.

Houston Dynamo FC look to extend unbeaten streak against LA Galaxy

Photo by Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography, Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved

By Chris Price

Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (September 2, 2023)  Currently sitting in fourth place in a tightly contested Western Conference, Houston Dynamo FC are just eight points away from second place as they face off against the LA Galaxy, making every match crucial. This Saturday's game will showcase three players who have recently earned spots on their national teams for the upcoming FIFA break. Captain Hector Herrera, midfielder Adalberto "Coco" Carrasquilla, and goalkeeper Xavier Valdez will represent their countries, adding an extra layer of excitement to the match.

In their most recent victory, the Dynamo triumphed over the Columbus Crew with a 2-0 win. Forward Corey Baird scored his 11th goal of the season, maintaining his impressive form. Herrera, meanwhile, provided an assist to Aliyu Ibrahim for the second goal and earned a spot on the MLSSoccer.com Team of the Matchday for his standout performance.

The Dynamo have already bested the LA Galaxy this season with a 3-0 victory, where Herrera scored a brace and Amine Bassi converted a penalty kick. With a slight edge in the all-time series at 14-13-10, the Dynamo are determined to extend their dominance.

Pasadena HS Volleyball downs Fort Bend Marshall on all levels

Photo by Kristine Kelly, Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved

By Chris Price
Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved

MISSOURI CITY, TEXAS (September 1, 2023) The Pasadena High School Eagles volleyball teams travelled to Fort Bend Marshall on Friday afternoon to kick off their September schedule of games on all three levels of competition (freshmen, junior varsity, and varsity). The Eagles swept the Buffalos in straight sets in all levels.

Beginning with the freshmen squad, the Eagles came out on top by the scores of 25-17 and 25-13. There match was followed by the junior varsity, who also downed the Buffalos 27-25 and 25-14. The varsity concluded the evening with a three-set win; 25-16, 25-8, and 25-12.

The straight sets win for all the squads was the first of the season for the Eagles. Next up for the volleyball teams from Pasadena High School is a Tuesday, September 5 matchup against Baytown Sterling at Bob Barfield Gymnasium in Pasadena. 

North Shore Mustangs blank Spring Lions, 53-0

Photo by Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography, Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (September 1, 2023) The No. 2 ranked North Shore Mustangs scored 24 points in the first quarter on their way to a 53-0 win over the Spring Lions at Galena Park ISD Stadium on Friday evening.

The Mustangs, who are ranked number 10 in the nation by MaxPreps, pushed their season record to 2-0 and will look to extent their season winning record, when the play the Spring Westfield Mustangs at Planet Ford Stadium in Spring, Texas on Friday, September 8. The Mustangs are currently ranked number six by Dave Campbell's Football magazine and number 16 by Max Preps. The Mustangs' number two ranking is from Dave Campbell's magazine.

North Shore's win was a result of a complete team effort, with exceptional performances by senior quarterback Joshua Williams and junior quarterback Kaleb Bailey. Together, they directed the offensive drives that tallied all of the Mustangs' 53 points. Also adding to the performance was junior wide receiver Deion DeBlanc and junior running back D'Andre Hardeman.

After gaining a 34-0 lead at halftime, head coach Willie Gaston rotated new players onto the field in order to give his second and third string players needed playing time; which resulted in the substitutes scoring 19 points, to add to the shutout of the Lions.

Game action photos, by Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography, can be viewed by clicking here.