DOVER, Del. (October 31, 2024) - Howard University women's soccer closed the regular season as first-time Northeast Conference (NEC) Champions with Thursday's 6-0 shutout over Delaware State University.
 
The title-clinching win moved the Bison to a 9-4-5 overall season record while going 8-1-1 in conference. The loss dropped the Hornets to 0-17-1 overall and 0-9-1 in their debut season as NEC opponents.
 
Breakout star Gabriella Garcia-Terrell (Centreville, Va.) opened the scoring in the 33^rd minute, beating an oncoming defender in a foot race before getting her left one on the ball to net the first goal of the game, 1-0.
 
Just three minutes later, Rachel Suttle (Smyrna, Ga.) widened the gap after her header connected with a corner kick from reigning NEC Rookie of the Year Samantha James (Herndon, Va.), 2-0.
 
Keeping the momentum going out of the half, senior Melea Earley (La Mirada, Calif.) connected with a well-placed throw in from James for the third goal of the game, 3-0.
 
Putting the pressure on, Howard got off six more shots before senior duo Earley and Kyra Bolden (McLean, Va.) made a fourth goal happen for the Bison in the 56^th minute, 4-0.
 
Asia Mickens-Perez (Upper Marlboro, Md.) added another nail in the coffin when she broke away down the middle of the field before making her shot just high of the goalie, 5-0.
 
A mere two seconds after coming onto the field, newcomer Imani Kissi (Dublin, Ohio) made her first career goal when her header connected with the corner kick from Mia Young (Sunrise, Fla.), 6-0.
 
Utilizing 11 corners and capitalizing on three, the Bison posted 41 shots while the defense held the Hornets to three. Earley led the charge once again, posting eight shots with half being on goal.
 
Notching a save, Trinity Knox (Atlanta) posted her seventh shutout of the season.
 
Next up, the top-seeded Bison host No. 4 Stonehill at noon Thursday, November 7, in the NEC Tournament semifinal round.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.