Thursday, August 14
Houston, Texas
6 p.m.
Rice University
1-0-0, 0-0-0
2
vs
1
HCU
0-1-0, 0-0-0
1
2
F
Houston Christian
0
1
1
Rice
2
0
2
Owls Open New Season with Win Over HCU
8/14/2025 9:36:00 PM | Women's Soccer
HOUSTON – The Rice soccer team started the 2025-26 athletic season with a bang, using two first-half goals to defeat Houston Christian 2-1 Thursday night at Holloway Field. After leading the team in goals a season ago, Leah Chancey wasted no time scoring again this season, while Mariana Elizondo rattled off the game-winning goal shortly after.
How It Happened
Chancey had a look in the opening minute of the match, but a great save by HCU kept things scoreless early. It wasn't long however until Chancey had another chance, this time coming off a corner kick, and this time capitalizing to open the scoring in the 17th minute. 20 minutes later, a rebounded shot got sent back to Elizondo who sailed the ball to the back of the net to double the Rice lead.
The Owls had plenty of opportunities to increase the lead in the second half, but good defensive stop by the Huskies kept the deficit at two goals. HCU got a goal back in the closing minutes, but Rice ultimately held on to open the 2025 campaign with a win.
Post-Match Reaction: Head Coach Brian Lee
"Great team performance and awesome to have 22 players get in and contribute positively…It's always better when we're together, we're better together."
Scoring Summary
16:36 – RICE – Goal by Leah Chancey (1), unassisted
36:06 – RICE – Goal by Mariana Elizondo (1), assisted by Laurel Kelley
82:46 – HCU – Goal by Alexia Murillo, assisted by Jasmine Diaz, Cloe Baugh
Quick Hits
The Owls out-shot HCU 24-12 and 12-5 on shots on goal.
Rice had a 6-2 corner kick advantage.
Chancey scored the 10th goal of her career.
Elizondo netted her fourth career goal and first goal since the 2022 season.
Kelley grabs her first career assist and point in her first collegiate game.
This marks the 11th time an athlete has scored an assist in their first Rice game, last being Chancey a season ago.
Rice is unbeaten in the last eight home non-conference games (7-0-1).
The Owls are now 7-0 all-time against HCU.
Up Next
The Owls head on the road for the first away match of the season Sunday at UTRGV.
How It Happened
Chancey had a look in the opening minute of the match, but a great save by HCU kept things scoreless early. It wasn't long however until Chancey had another chance, this time coming off a corner kick, and this time capitalizing to open the scoring in the 17th minute. 20 minutes later, a rebounded shot got sent back to Elizondo who sailed the ball to the back of the net to double the Rice lead.
The Owls had plenty of opportunities to increase the lead in the second half, but good defensive stop by the Huskies kept the deficit at two goals. HCU got a goal back in the closing minutes, but Rice ultimately held on to open the 2025 campaign with a win.
Post-Match Reaction: Head Coach Brian Lee
"Great team performance and awesome to have 22 players get in and contribute positively…It's always better when we're together, we're better together."
Scoring Summary
16:36 – RICE – Goal by Leah Chancey (1), unassisted
36:06 – RICE – Goal by Mariana Elizondo (1), assisted by Laurel Kelley
82:46 – HCU – Goal by Alexia Murillo, assisted by Jasmine Diaz, Cloe Baugh
Quick Hits
The Owls out-shot HCU 24-12 and 12-5 on shots on goal.
Rice had a 6-2 corner kick advantage.
Chancey scored the 10th goal of her career.
Elizondo netted her fourth career goal and first goal since the 2022 season.
Kelley grabs her first career assist and point in her first collegiate game.
This marks the 11th time an athlete has scored an assist in their first Rice game, last being Chancey a season ago.
Rice is unbeaten in the last eight home non-conference games (7-0-1).
The Owls are now 7-0 all-time against HCU.
Up Next
The Owls head on the road for the first away match of the season Sunday at UTRGV.
Team Stats
HCU
RICE
Goals
1
2
Shots
12
24
Shots on Goal
5
12
Saves
10
4
Corners
2
6
Fouls
8
11
Scoring Plays
Leah Chancey (1)
GOAL by RICE Chancey, Leah.
16:36
Mariana Elizondo (1)
Assisted By: Laurel Kelley
GOAL by RICE Elizondo, Mariana Assist by Kelley, Laurel.
36:06
Alexia Murillo (1)
Assisted By: Jasmine Diaz , Cloe Baugh
GOAL by HCU Murillo, Alexia Assist by Diaz, Jasmine and Baugh, Cloe.
82:46
Game Leaders
Players
Shots
5
SOG
2
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
fwd
Shots
4
SOG
2
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
MF
/ Women's SoccerMF
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