SHAWNEE, Okla. -- The Golden Eagles (7-4-1, 3-2-0 SAC) couldnt manufacture much luck tonight even though it out-shot Oklahoma Baptist (8-4-0, 3-1-0 SAC) by a 17-12 count as the Bison escaped with a narrow 1-0 victory at the OBU Soccer Complex.
That poor luck came in the form of Bison goalkeeper Emma Beck, a shot that rang off the crossbar and an unfortunate goal that spelled a second-consecutive defeat for JBU.
“I'm proud of the teams performance tonight,†head coach Kathleen Paulsen noted after the match. “They showed heart and effort and sometimes games won't always go the way you want. Tonight felt like one of those nights. I thought we controlled the game well, we just need to learn how to capitalize on our opportunities in the final third of the game more effectively.
“We still have a lot of room to grow and get better. I'm looking forward to that process.â€
John Brown fired 14 shots in the first half, forcing Beck to make seven saves in the first half. OBU also featured accurate shooting, sending seven of eight shots on target in the first 45 minutes of play. Junior goalkeeper Kristen Morency collected six saves in the stanza, but an odd goal managed to get past her in the 31st minute.
The Bisons Kylie Williams netted her first goal of the season when a stray ball hit her in the box that deflected in past Morency. Allie Preston and Ailee Thompson picked up the assists on the play.
The second half evened out for both teams as Oklahoma Baptist managed a 4-3 shooting advantage over the visitors. John Brown came close to evening the score in the 65th minute when junior midfielder Madi Susmilchs shot glanced off the crossbar.
Both keeper made a pair of saves in the second half. The loss for the Golden Eagles was the third shutout defeat of the season.
Sophomore midfielder Sara Lachance, freshman midfielder Sara Frey and Susmilch each tallied three shot attempts to pace the JBU offense. Both squads recorded nine shots on goal.
Beck picked up the shutout win for Oklahoma Baptist making all nine saves, seven in the first half. Morency was tabbed with the loss, blocking eight shots in the losing effort. Her eight saves tied a season high, set in a 2-0 loss to No. 24 Benedictine (Kan.) on Sept. 20.
The Golden Eagles will look to rebound and break its two-game skid on Saturday (Oct. 18) when it travels to Plainview, Texas, to take on Wayland Baptist (Texas). The match is scheduled to begin at noon.
