By Alan Wiederhold
HT Athletic Communications
 
DEER PARK, Texas – Huston-Tillotson University's women's soccer team claimed its first win of the 2026 season Thursday with a 2-1 road triumph over North American (Texas).
 
Under a hazy sunset in the shadows of the refineries of the industrial suburbs east of Houston, NCAA Division I transfer Mariyah McCrae (Anchorage, Alaska / Jacksonville University) scored goals in the first and second half to lead the Rams (1-2-1) to the win.
 
In a first half that saw the visitors outshoot the Stallions 11-5, the Ram attack finally paid off in the 37th minute. McCrae found the back of the net after receiving a pass in transition from Lincy Villatoro-Bargallo and beat goalkeeper Hannah Williams for the Rams' first goal of 2026.
 
Villatoro-Bargallo (Los Angeles, Calif. / Texas A&M International) moved into a fifth-place tie for HT's all-time lead with her eighth career assist. She received her pass from freshman Emili Taclibon (Copperas Cove, Texas / Copperas Cove), who taken the ball from North American attackers; Taclibon was also credited for an assist on the play.
 
North American countered with a goal from Genevieve Colon shortly before the hour mark. It was the Stallions' first goal against HT in five all-time meetings, as the Rams had outscored North American 10-0 in the previous four matchups, all Huston-Tillotson victories.
 
McCrae scored her second goal of the match in the 65th minute when she recovered a turnover deep in North American territory and fired a shot past Arely Sarabia. Caroline Valencia (Burnet, Texas / Oklahoma Wesleyan) was denied an insurance goal in the 87th minute when Sarabia made a great leaping save on a hard shot from less than 12 yards away.
 
HT's senior goalkeeper Zoey Gonzales (Austin, Texas / Connally) earned the win after a scoreless first half in which she made two saves. Freshman teammate Tatiana Castillo (Mission, Texas / Sharyland) made five saves in the second half.
 
Kiara Leitón Amador (San José, Costa Rica / Seward County [Kan.] CC) and Kamryn McMath (Stockton, Calif. / Trinity Valley CC) anchored the defensive line Thursday and played all 90 minutes of the match. Alicia Gonzales (Kearns, Utah / Neosho County [Kan.] CC) and Angela Zambrano-Olvera (Manor, Texas / New Tech) played 87 minutes and 80 minutes, respectively in HT's backfield.
 
The Rams return to action Tuesday, Sept. 8, when they travel to Texas Wesleyan University in Fort Worth. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m.
 
– HT –