SILOAM SPRINGS, Ark. -- After suffering a disappointing 1-0 defeat to No. 24 Oklahoma City earlier this week, the women's soccer team bounced back in a strong way, handing Southwestern Christian (Okla.) a 7-1 defeat this afternoon at Alumni Field.
Southwestern Christian (6-3-1, 1-1-0 SAC) learned quickly how difficult it is to play on the road in the Sooner Athletic Conference as John Brown fired 21 shots toward the Eagle net, while limiting SCU to seven, in a rain-soaked match.
"I was really proud of our ladies today," admitted head coach Kathleen Paulsen. "I think it was the best soccer we have played this season and every player contributed. We will continue to work hard and prepare for a strong USAO team."
Nine players netted points in the winning effort. Junior Laura Garcia's two strikes increased her team-leading goal output to five on the season. Sophomore Julie Whitlow also dished out two assists while senior Laura Bradshaw took on the role of an attacker in the latter stages, tallying her first collegiate goal.
Garcia kick-started the scoring for John Brown in the 21st minute when the forward received a throw-in from Rachel Harris on the left side, one-touching the ball into the left side of the net for a 1-0 JBU lead. Twelve minutes later, she doubled the Golden Eagle lead when a defensive miscue allowed Garcia to bury a cross from Casey O'Brien, pushing the lead to 2-0.
In the 35th minute, freshman Hannah Poor recorded her second goal of the season off a beautiful header in the box, finishing off a well-placed Whitlow corner kick. JBU completed its fourth goal of the first half when junior Casie Giffin's cross through the box found a streaking Karen Sosa on the left side. Sosa made no mistake, depositing the shot into the right netting for a 4-0 Golden Eagles lead.
John Brown was only getting started as it continued its dominance into the second half. Freshman Sarah Hill launched a well-place pass to freshman Braydi Frederick on the right flank in the 57th minute, creating a one-on-one with an SCU defender. Frederick maneuvered to the middle of the field and launched a top-shelf, left-footed shot for her third tally of the season.
Southwestern Christian finally found the scoreboard in the 68th minute, but it only took JBU four minutes to respond.
Bradshaw notched her first collegiate goal in the 72nd minute, courtesy of a long Whitlow free kick that landed in the box. Taking advantage of the SCU keeper's inability to handle the kick, Bradshaw knocked the Golden Eagles' sixth goal across the line. JBU finished its scoring in the 84th minute when O'Brien took the ball the entire length of the Eagle defensive zone in a spectacular singular effort, navigating around three Southwestern Christian defenders and to the right side of the box, delivering a shot to the bottom right corner of the net.
John Brown dominated possession throughout the afternoon, which was highlighted by a 7-1 advantage in corner kick opportunities. Ten different Golden Eagles fired shots towards the SCU net as Poor, O'Brien and freshman Sara Lachance each sent three shots apiece.
Sophomore netminder Kristen Morency (6-3-0) played well when called upon, recording four saves on afternoon and picked up the victory. Senior Alysan Burgbacher relieved Morency in the 76th minute and collected 15 minutes of playing time. Kiley Wells (5-1-0) suffered her first loss of the season, giving up four goals in 72 minutes. She gave way to counterpart Emily Oldacre, who surrendered three goals over 19 minutes.
The Golden Eagles will return to the pitch on Tuesday (Oct. 8) when it travels to Chickasha, Okla., to face Science & Arts. The Drovers (1-7-0, 0-2-0 SAC) have struggled of late, currently enduring a three-game losing streak. The match is slated to begin at 1:00 p.m.
