BOX SCORE | TOURNAMENT PAGE | TICKETS 

BEAUMONT, Texas — Fifth-seeded Houston Christian continued its remarkable postseason surge Thursday afternoon, upsetting top-seeded Northwestern State 2–1 in the Southland Conference semifinals at the LU Soccer Complex.

The victory marked just the fourth 5-over-1 upset in Southland semifinal history (2006, 2018, 2020, 2025) and the first since 2020, when Southeastern downed Stephen F. Austin. It also sends the Huskies (11-8-2) to their third championship appearance, where they are a perfect 2–0 all time (titles in 2014 and 2016). The 11th win of the season also ties the program’s single-season record and is the most since joining the Southland.

HCU opened the scoring in the 49th minute when Alexia Murillo buried a penalty kick for her second goal of the year. Northwestern State (13-5-3) drew level in the 61st minute on a strike from Kendall Hemperley, assisted by Emily Senatore, before the Huskies regained the lead late.

Freshman Paisley Barela, who entered the postseason without a goal, delivered the winner in the 83rd minute off a feed from Gisele Kehres, giving her three goals in the tournament — including two game-winners.

The defeat marked just the third time this season, and only the second in conference play, that Northwestern State conceded multiple goals (also against SMU and Lamar).

With the win, Houston Christian became the first No. 5 seed to reach the Southland title match since 2020. Historically, No. 5 seeds are 2-1 in championship games, with Abilene Christian (2018) and Southeastern (2020) winning, and Texas State (2006) the lone runner-up.

The Huskies advance to Sunday’s championship, seeking their third Southland crown and a place in the NCAA Tournament, and will play the winner of Stephen F. Austin and Lamar at 1 p.m.