CLAREMORE, Okla. -- Similar to its last outing, the No. 22 Golden Eagles (4-1-1) used a trio of second-half markers to put way the competition, this time in a 3-0 clean-sheet victory over NCAA II Rogers State (Okla.) tonight at Soldier Field.
Senior midfielder Casey OBrien, junior defender Julie Whitlow and freshman defender Samantha Weber provided all the offense John Brown needed in the second stanza.
“Todays game was an interesting one for us,†head coach Kathleen Paulsen said. “We really struggled in the first half, but I think the second half we came out and were a better representation of who we are and who we want to be.â€
Junior goalkeeper Kristen Morency earned her third shutout of the season, making seven saves which tied her season high. Teri Cocke absorbed the loss for Rogers State (0-6-0), collecting four saves.
Both teams fired six shots in the first half, but Morencys three saves and Cockes two kept the match scoreless at the half.
However, the Golden Eagles began to take over in the second half. OBrien netted her second tally of the season when freshman midfielder Sara Frey sent a through ball up the left flank between two Hillcat defenders. After burning a pair of defenders, it was a footrace between OBrien and Cocke to the ball. OBrien prevailed, knocking the ball past the oncoming keeper before collecting the errant ball and sending a left-footed shot just inside the right post for a 1-0 Golden Eagle lead.
Whitlow padded John Browns lead by two in the 63rd minute when she retrieved a failed RSU clearing attempt which began with her own free kick. From 45 yards out, Whitlow rifled a long blast which floated in just below the crossbar.
JBUs finally tally came in the 84th minute when Weber scored her first collegiate goal. Sophomore midfielder Savannah Beths corner kick pinballed around the box before senior midfielder Haley Massey managed to get a leg on the ball inside the six yard box. As it rolled toward the right post, Weber took no chances, knocking the ball in past a duo of Hillcat defenders for the third goal.
OBrien sent four shot attempts in the match to lead John Brown while Frey earned a trio of shots. The Golden Eagles out-shot the hosts 12-7 as each team posted four corner kicks.
The Golden Eagles will return to the pitch on Saturday (Sept. 20) to face No. 24 Benedictine (Kan.) at Alumni Field. Match start is slated for 5:30 pm.
