WASHINGTON, DC --- Another home game, another wild finish.

Sophomore forward Kela Gray scored the game-winning goal for the Howard women's soccer team as the Bison defeated the American University Eagles 2-1 on Friday evening at Greene Stadium.

The victory was the first-ever win for Howard (3-3) over American (2-5) in the 11-game series of the crosstown rivalry.

THE RUNDOWN
-    Howard played much of the game from behind after American's Audrey Denkler connected on a score in the 12th minute off an assist from Kelly Donovan.
-    The Bison capitalized on an AU mistake in the second half to even the score. In the 76th minute, Gray took a pass from junior forward Carmen Suarez and made a push towards American goalkeeper Courtney Bembenek. After a collision and a save by Bembenek, the officials determined that the Eagles' Danielle Krachie forced Gray's fall in the box and awarded Howard a penalty kick. Sophomore forward/midfielder Whitney White was tabbed to take the shot and converted without resistance.
-    White nearly scored the deciding goal herself in the 77th minute. With Bembenek charging near the top of the box, White put of shot on goal that was saved and barely missed wide right on a rebound shot.
-    The Golden Goal came with time running down in the first overtime. Senior midfielder Dytria Ruddy battled for possession with an AU defender near midfield, made an overhead pass to herself to separate and launched a perfect pass along the left side of the pitch. Gray dribbed about 15 yards before cutting inside, sending a right-footed shot to the upper right corner of the net and setting the Howard celebration into motion.

BISON BITE - HEAD COACH BRENT LEIBA
On Finally Earning A Victory Against American

"It's a big statement game for this program. American has been a quality program [for some time] and we haven't been able to get over that hump. After the result from last year (a 3-0 loss at AU) and the way we played, it was nice to see the girls come out with a 'redemption' type of mentality. This was by far our best game. You can see us getting better, game-by-game, half-by-half, and it translated into today's result."

NEXT UP
Howard finishes its three-game home stand with a Friday evening matchup with Mount St. Mary's University on September 18 at 7 p.m.