MOORE, Okla. -- Junior Casey O'Brien netted her second game-winner of the season in the first half before two second-half goals from freshmen Sara Lachance and junior Chloe Fennel cemented a 3-0 John Brown (13-3-1, 8-1-1 SAC) victory over St. Gregory's (Okla.) this afternoon in Moore, Okla.
Because of unplayable field conditions on the campus of St. Gregory's, the match was moved at the last moment to another field.
With the victory, the Golden Eagles secure second place in the upcoming Sooner Athletic Conference tournament. Oklahoma City (9-1 SAC) claimed the top spot and clinched its fourth-consecutive regular season championship.
"Today was a little rough at first, but I thought we made a few adjustments and were able to get better today," said head coach Kathleen Paulsen. "Everyone contributed to the victory today. We still think we can get better and we are excited to continue that process, even at this point in the season."
Sophomore goalkeeper Kristen Morency (13-3-1) collected her 13th win and extended her career season, landing her ninth shutout, six in the last seven matches, but it was the strong defense of the Golden Eagles this time as Morency wasn't called upon to make a save in the game. Her
O'Brien opened the scoring in the 22nd minute when Lachance played a ball to the streaking midfielder. O'Brien then burst down the right flank and let go a shot to the far left post, besting SGU netminder Haylee Merrill for a 1-0 lead. Lachance earned her second assist of the season on the play.
The Cavaliers (6-10-1, 1-9-0 SAC) managed only three shots in the first half while JBU notched seven, forcing Merrill into making a pair of saves.
The second half was all John Brown as the Golden Eagles out-shot the hosts 12-2 over the final 45 minutes of play.
Lachance posted JBU's insurance goal in the 80th minute after Cavalier netminder Merrill made way to backup Jena Flewelling. Lachance scored her seventh goal of the season when freshman Sarah Hill earned her first collegiate point by sending a corner kick directly to Lachance's head in the box for a 2-0 advantage.
Finally, in the 83rd minute, junior Chloe Fennell chipped in with her first college goal. Fennell was able to bury her opportunity when a rebound came loose from a blistering shot by freshman Hannah Poor. The 3-0 lead was too great for the Cavs to overcome.
Merrill (5-10-1) was tagged in the loss for St. Gregory's, finishing the game with one save while her counterpart Flewelling gave up a pair of goals and knocked aside three JBU shots.
The Golden Eagles will enter the SAC tournament hosting seventh-seeded Northwood (Texas) (7-6-2) at Alumni Field on Saturday (Nov. 9) at 2:00 p.m. The two squads played to a 0-0 tie in Siloam Springs on Nov. 2. The Golden Eagles earned a 1-1 tie on the road last season at Rogers State (Okla.) in the conference quarterfinals, advancing 4-3 in penalty kicks, before falling 1-0 at top-seeded Oklahoma City.
