Liberty
11/7/2026 11:00:00 AM | Soccer
NEWARK, Del. – Sam Houston opens the 2026 Conference USA Women's Soccer Championship on Sunday, facing top-seeded Liberty in the quarterfinal round at Stuart and Suzanne Grant Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. CT.
The eighth-seeded Bearkats enter postseason play with a 5-5-7 overall record and a 1-3-4 mark in Conference USA action. Liberty secured the tournament's top seed after finishing the regular season 14-2-2 overall and 7-0-1 in conference play.
Sunday's contest marks the second meeting between the two programs this season. The winner will advance to the semifinal round on Tuesday, Nov. 10, while the losing team will see its season come to a close.
LAST TIME OUT
Sam Houston closed the regular season with back-to-back scoreless draws, earning results against two of the conference's top programs.
The Bearkats played Liberty to a 0-0 draw on Oct. 25 at Pritchett Field before traveling to Newark for a scoreless draw against Delaware on Oct. 31. Goalkeeper Hannah Stipp and the Sam Houston defense helped secure both results, keeping the Bearkats competitive against the top-seeded Lady Flames and third-seeded Blue Hens.
The draw against Liberty snapped the Lady Flames' 11-match winning streak and extended their unbeaten streak to 12 matches.
SCOUTING LIBERTY
Liberty enters the Conference USA Championship as the tournament's No. 1 seed after compiling a 7-0-1 record in league play. The Lady Flames finished the regular season with 28 goals scored and 10 goals allowed through 18 matches.
Liberty's offensive attack has produced 299 shots, including 145 on goal, while its defense has limited opponents to 10 goals. The Lady Flames closed the regular season with a 1-0 victory over Missouri State on Nov. 1, finishing the year unbeaten in their final 13 matches.
SAM HOUSTON NOTES
The Bearkats have recorded 24 goals through 17 matches this season, averaging 1.41 goals per contest. Sam Houston has totaled 204 shots, including 106 on goal, while its goalkeepers have combined for 108 saves.
Sam Houston will look to carry its defensive momentum from the final two regular-season matches into Sunday's quarterfinal. The Bearkats will also look to generate opportunities against a Liberty defense that ranks among the conference's best in goals allowed.
SERIES HISTORY
Sunday marks the second meeting between Sam Houston and Liberty during the 2026 season. The programs played to a 0-0 draw in their regular-season meeting on Oct. 25 in Huntsville.
The Bearkats will look to build on that performance and earn a quarterfinal victory to advance in the Conference USA Championship.
UP NEXT
With a victory, Sam Houston will advance to the CUSA semifinal round on Tuesday, Nov. 10, against the winner of the matchup between No. 4 FIU and No. 5 New Mexico State. The championship match is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 13.
All matches of the Conference USA Women's Soccer Championship will be streamed on ESPN+.
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