WASHINGTON (August 17, 2026) - The Howard University women's soccer team was on the verge of doing something special--winning its second straight NEC Tournament title. The Bison were leading, 2-1, in the semifinals, but it was short lived when Wagner College (WC) scored with less than two minutes remaining to tie the game, 2-2, and send it into overtime. WC would go on to win in double OT, 3-2.
 
Interestingly, the Bison have been here before.
 
Three years ago, Howard dropped a heartbreaking 2-1 decision in the conference semifinals to eventual NEC Champion Central Connecticut State. But the resilient Bison program atoned for the defeat by coming back to win the regular season and tournament title in 2024 en route to the NCCA Tournament.
 
"It hurt," admitted Bison head coach Brent Leiba of the painful outcomes. "It took a while to ger over it, but this program has set standards and the outcome has fueled our motivation for the season. We had a great spring and early season workouts that has us excited. We have a unique blend of veterans, who have been here, and 10 incoming freshmen, who have blended nicely together."
 
Leiba is entering his 18^th season and has brought the program to national prominence during his tenure. He is the winningest coach in school history, nearing 150 victories and a future Hall of Famer.
 
Howard is coming off a 9-7-3 season (7-2-2 NEC), losing some key veterans. But he is encouraged by the return of senior tri-captains Laila Cowsette (Laurel, Md.), Asia Mickens-Perez (Upper Marlboro, Md.) and Trinity Knox (Atlanta).
 
Cowsette, who Leiba noted is one of the keys to the team's quest for another NEC title, reflected her time at Howard.
 
"As I reflect on my experience at Howard," Cowsette expressed. "It has allowed me to grow. It can be very demanding when you are a student-athlete at Howard. But once I figured things out, I have been able to balance academics and soccer while developing lifelong friendships. It has been a great experience. That is why I am especially motivated to do well this season."
 
Mickens-Perez is another noteworthy Bison, starting 49 games during her career while playing an integral part of the team's success over the past three years.
 
"I'm excited about the makeup of this team," noted Mickens-Perez, who plans to attend law school. "We have a nice blend of veteran player, who have been there, along with a group of talented new players. It is going to be our responsibility to provide leadership, so that we can reach our goal of another title. I like what I see."
 
Knox is called "Fort Knox" and arguably the best goalie in school history. Coming into her senior season, she is the school record holder in several categories. Knox has recorded 235 saves, been a part of 24 victories and posted 14 shutouts in three seasons. She has been the NEC Rookie of the Year and Goalkeeper of the Year during her productive career in a Bison uniform.
 
"Looking back, it was really disappointing to come up short with a chance to do something special," said Knox, an athletic training major. "You work so hard and then not achieve can be devastating. But this is my fourth year and I know what we are capable of doing. I have been very impressed with the energy of this team. We have 10 freshmen coming in but there is a togetherness and camaraderie that is special. We all have this common goal of going out strong."
 
Off the field and inside the classroom, the Bison continue their tradition of academic excellence with 23 student-athletes earning NEC Fall Academic Honors. The three captains have made the list at least twice.
 
"Howard is a special place," explained Leiba. "It takes a special individual to answer the demands of academic responsibility while also fulfilling the expectations as an athlete here. We are proud of the fact that we have been consistently one of the highest GPAs in the athletics department."
 
Leiba states that the nonconference schedule has been adjusted to the conference policies.
 
"We will not be playing some of the Power 4 opponents of the past," Leiba announced. "The conference (NEC) is putting more emphasis on wins, so we have prepared the schedule accordingly."
 
The Bison open the season Wednesday (Aug. 19) at home against crosstown opponent George Washington (GW), followed by the second annual HBCU Invitational against Hampton Saturday (Aug. 22) at Audi Field. The Bison will then be challenged when they embark on a six-game road swing following the matches versus GW and Hampton.
 
NEC play begins Sunday (Sept. 20) at New Haven and ends Sunday (Nov. 8) versus Mercyhurst on Senior Day.
 
NEC Semifinals start Thursday (Nov. 12), followed by the championship match Sunday (Nov. 15).
 
All conference games will be live streamed on NEC Front Row.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.