SILOAM SPRINGS, Ark. -- A quartet of players, led by sophomore striker Braydi Frederick, had a hand in two goals apiece as the Golden Eagles (10-4-3) netted two first-half goals en route to a 3-0 shutout win over Wayland Baptist (Texas) this afternoon at Alumni Field in the Sooner Athletic Conference tournament quarterfinals.
For the second-consecutive season, the two teams have met in Siloam Springs in tournament play. Last season, John Brown edged out the Pioneers in penalty kicks to advance to the title game. This season was less dramatic as freshman defender Samantha Weber tallied the game-winner in the 11th minute of play.
“We play our best soccer when we simply have fun and work hard together,†said head coach Kathleen Paulsen who increased her career record in tournament play to 2-0-2. “Today was a perfect example of our team enjoying the game together; I'm proud of them. We have a quick turnaround for a very good USAO team and we look forward to preparing for that match.â€
With the victory, JBU advances to the semifinals where it will travel to top-seeded Science & Arts (Okla.) on Monday (Nov. 10). Kick-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. The two squads met back on Oct. 7 in Siloam Springs as the visiting Drovers captured a 2-1, breaking the Golden Eagles three-game winning streak.
Weber started the scoring in the 11th minute as she placed herself in an opportune position. Off a corner kick by freshman Sarah Frey, senior midfielder Madi Susmilch had a first chance at the goal as the ball bounced around the box. A Pioneer defender made an incredible body block on Susmilchs attempt, but Weber was at the back left post and poked in the rebound for a 1-0 John Brown lead. The strike was Webers second goal of the season and her first game-winner.
Using an 8-3 shooting advantage in the first half, John Brown seized a two-goal lead in the 28th minute with an insurance marker off the foot of Frederick. Senior midfielder Casey OBrien began the play in the midfield by dumping a pass off to an oncoming Frey, who launched a through ball up the left flank to a streaking Frederick. With Baptist keeper Bailey Stengler coming out to challenge Frederick as she neared the top of the box, Frederick managed to maneuver a shot, her sixth goal of the season, past an outstretched Stengler into the right side of the goal. Frey tallied her fourth assist on the year while OBrien picked up her fifth helper.
After controlling the vast majority of the first half, the squads began back-and-forth play in the early parts of the second. Despite that, JBU still out-shot the visitors 8-5 on the half and finished the game with a 16-8 advantage.
In the 83rd minute, Frederick placed a dagger into the Pioneers hopes of a comeback bid when she launched a one-time strike from the left side of the box off a volley from OBrien. Weber began the play with an accurate throw-in to OBrien. The strike capped off a four-point performance from Frederick, a three-point afternoon from Weber and a two-point effort from both Frey and OBrien.
Junior keeper Kristen Morency was only called upon twice to make a save, both on WBUs Jodian Morris and both occurring in the first half. The clean sheet marks Morencys ninth of the season and the 25th of her career.
Stengler picked up the loss in net for Wayland, finishing the afternoon with five saves in the loss.
