The Houston Dynamo registered a 3-0 win over Houston Baptist University on Saturday morning at Methodist Champions Field at Houston Amateur Sports Park. Cam Weaver scored two goals – three minutes apart in the first half – and Giles Barnes added a third as the Dynamo cruised to a scrimmage win to complete the first week of preseason.
Weaver wasted little time threatening to score, forcing Houston Baptist goalkeeper Zach Harwerth to make a good save three minutes into the match.
Weaver would convert in the 15th minute, taking a cross from Mike Chabala and heading past Harwerth for the opening goal.
Just three minutes later the Dynamo extended the lead. Barnes sent a free kick to Jason Johnson, who snapped a header toward goal that was saved by Harweth. The rebound bounced to Weaver, who headed it into the net for a 2-0 advantage. It was Weaver’s club-best third goal in two preseason games.
Houston nearly extended its lead in the 34th minute, with Ricardo Clark volleying a cross from eight yards, but the goal-bound shot was cleared off the line by HBU defender George Kelley.
The Dynamo wrapped up the scoring two minutes before halftime on an impressive quick-strike goal. The sequence began at midfield when defender Warren Creavalle played a long pass to the feet of Weaver in the middle of the HBU half. Weaver waited for Barnes to begin his run before playing a deftly weighted ball to the British midfielder, who buried his shot past Harwerth for a 3-0 lead.
Brian Ching nearly lengthened Houston’s advantage in the 63rd minute, settling the ball near the penalty spot before forcing a leaping save from substitute goalkeeper Kevin Suarez.
Dynamo goalkeeper Erich Marscheider entered at halftime and made several impressive saves in the second half. The first arrived in the 68th minute when Houston Baptist forward Kristopher Tyrpak struck a shot from 20 yards that was headed for the upper corner before Marschedier dove high and to his right to push the shot over the bar.
Marscheider intervened again in the 81st minute, charging to the top of his box against HBU forward Christian Cruz, who broke in alone on goal before Marscheider denied his effort.
Five minutes earlier, the Dynamo had another chance to score. Ching calmly setup trialist Calum Eliot with a pinpoint through ball, but Elliot’s shot hit the outside of the net from 12 yards.
The Dynamo travel to Tucson, Ariz. on Monday for the Desert Friendlies, with three scrimmages against MLS clubs through Feb. 2. Houston’s first Desert scrimmage is Tuesday at 4 p.m. CT, when they face the San Jose Earthquakes at Kino Sports Complex.
Houston Dynamo vs. Houston Baptist University
January 26, 2012 – Houston Amateur Sports Park
Preseason Scrimmage
Scoring Summary:
HOU – Cam Weaver 2 (Mike Chabala 1) 15’
HOU – Cam Weaver 3 (unassisted) 18’
HOU – Giles Barnes 1 (Cam Weaver 1) 43’
Houston Dynamo first half – Tyler Deric; Warren Creavalle, Eric Brunner, Jermaine Taylor, Mike Chabala; Je-Vaughn Watson, Giles Barnes, Ricardo Clark, Alex Dixon; Jason Johnson, Cam Weaver
Houston Dynamo second half – Erich Marscheider; Brian Ownby, Bobby Boswell, Anthony Arena, Kofi Sarkodie; Franck Songo’o, Luiz Camargo, Adam Moffat, Nic Ryan* (Yannick Smith* 75); Brian Ching, Calum Elliot
Houston Baptist University – Zach Harweth (Kevin Suarez 46); John McDuffee, George Kelley, Walter Kromholz, Charlie Gagnon (Alex Baez 21; Mark Gendi 64); Kristopher Tyrpak, Thilo Borgmann, Mark Gendi (Charlie Gagnon 46; Christian Cruz 64), Kyle Herbison (Dyllon Beasley 18); Christian Cruz (Diego Gutierrez 32; Gustavo Alvarado 61), Gustavo Alvarado (Kyle Herbison 46; Alex Baez 77)
Trialist
