THE HILL | In the 2025 Alabama A&M University soccer home opener, freshman Danija Walker found the back of the net in the 17th minute as the lone scorer of the contest, giving AAMU a 1-0 upset victory over Howard University on Sunday afternoon.
The matinee match started with both teams trying to find their rhythm, with Howard logging a pair of shots, one on target, in the early minutes. Just seconds into the 17th minute, Walker sent the ball to the top left corner of the net to score her first collegiate goal and the first Maroon and White goal of the season.
Howard saw three more attempts toward the goal over the next 15 minutes, but freshman goalkeeper Adriana Durango managed to grab them before any damage was done. Czaske Deane, Anita Frederick-Sigaran and Riyah Pandher all took shot attempts, with Deane and Frederick-Sigaran nearing the target, but the 2024 Northeast Conference Goalkeeper of the Year, Trinity Knox, kept the Bulldogs from adding another goal before the period ended. HU's Mia Young nearly scored with just 15 seconds remaining in the half, but Durango ensured the AAMU lead going into the break.
The second period saw nine shots from the visitors, with four of them on target, all coming within the final five minutes, in an attempt to level the match. AAMU tallied three shots in the second half from Deane, Renee Miller and Gabriella Machuca, two of which were saved by Knox.
The victory over the Bison marked the first win in the series for the Bulldogs since 2019. Head Coach Prince Borde is proud of the win. "This was probably the best win we have had in a long time", he said. "Howard is the NEC conference champions. The girls were outstanding today. Our effort was amazing! We have a lot of work before SWAC play, and we will continue to improve."
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Though the Bison outshot the Bulldogs 16-11, the teams had an equal number of shots on goal (eight)
- AAMU saw its best offensive performance in the first half, logging 8 of 11 shots.
- Sophomore Czaske Deane led the Bulldogs with four shots, three of which were on target, followed by Anita Frederick-Sigaran, with all three of her shots on goal
- Gabriella Machuca, Renee Miller and Riyah Pandher also logged a shot a piece.
- Danija Walker was the contests' lone scorer (16:35)
- Samantha James and Leah Williams led the offense for Howard University each with three shots
- Adriana Durango saved eight shots, while Trinity Knox saved seven, allowing one goal. Hornyak saved seven balls compared to Durango's four.
UP NEXT
The Bulldogs welcome the Southern Illinois Saluki's to Rocket City on Thursday. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. at the Bulldog Soccer Field. Admission is free to the public.
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