Robinson's Long Range Shot Blasts Golden Eagles to Upset Win, First-Ever Tournament Win at City

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. -- For the second-consecutive game, freshman Aspen Robinson handed the John Brown womens soccer team (13-6-1) the game-winner, this time from 30 yards away to send the third-seeded Golden Eagles to a 1-0 upset win at second-seeded Oklahoma City on Tuesday (Nov. 10) night at Stars Field in the Sooner Athletic Conference tournament semifinals.

With the victory, JBU continues a program record and will now appear in its third-consecutive SAC tournament title game. The win also gave the Golden Eagles its second-straight semifinals victory away from Alumni Field, including last years 1-0 victory at Drover Pitch against Science & Arts (Okla.).

Although the Stars out-shot John Brown, 13-9, OCU sent just one more shot on goal than the visitors (4-3). Junior keeper Hannah Poor (13-5-1) needed to step up with four saves, including three on the conferences leading scorer in the regular season, Ailee Thompson. Poor did just that, and earned her sixth solo shutout of the season.

“Our back line and Hannah [Poor] did an incredible job of shutting down a very good OCU front line,” admitted head coach Kathleen Paulsen. “Our shot blocking, collectively, was unbelievable and Alex Fahr had a sliding block that was game-changing. It was a total team effort.

In the 85th minute, senior Alex Fahr dove in front of Thompsons blast from the penalty kick marker, with a wide open goal and a chance to tie the score at one apiece.

After the Golden Eagles held a 7-4 shooting advantage in the first half, JBU continued the momentum into the second frame when Robinson struck early. In the 48th minute, sophomore Sara Frey collected an errant City pass in the midfield and played a pass through the middle to Robinson. Robinson turned, and with a defender in her face, launched a 30-yard arcing bomb to the bottom left corner of the goal. OCU keeper Kirsten Thomas managed to get a hand on it, but Robinsons 12th goal of the season carried the shot just over the line and into the side netting for a 1-0 John Brown lead.

“After I saw it go into the net, I just turned and ran at my teammates,” said Robinson after the game. “I couldnt have pulled off the shot without the team effort beforehand. It was a rush of excitement and it was great to rally with my teammates and give the glory to God.”

The goal was also Robinsons fourth game-winner of the season and Freys fourth assist of the year.

Armed with a one-goal lead, John Brown had to withstand a second half rally attempt from the higher-seeded Stars. OCU blasted a 9-3 shooting advantage in the second frame, hoping to find the equalizer.

With 10 seconds remaining in the game, OCUs Allison Worsham sent in a long free kick into the box, and after a mad scramble at the top of the 18, the Golden Eagle defense blocked one final shot at the buzzer before celebrating its first-ever SAC tournament victory at Stars Field.

JBU is now 1-3-1 all-time at Stars Field in SAC tournament play and have earned one win and a draw in its last two visits.

“I was so proud of the girls tonight,” Paulsen added. “It wasnt the prettiest soccer we have ever played, but we did the little things well and it led to bigger things getting done. Aspen did a great job of putting away her opportunity and our forwards did work offensively and defensively tonight.

“Its exciting to be in our third-consecutive conference tournament final. Its a statement to the character of these girls and their ability to live out our core values and to rise to the challenges that are in front of them. But as I told them today and will continue to tell them, the job is not done and while we celebrate tonight, we will prepare for Fridays game against a very good USAO team.”

With a 2-1 win over fourth-seeded Wayland Baptist (Texas) tonight, top-seeded Science & Arts (Okla.) will host the Golden Eagles in the championship match on Friday (Nov. 13) at 7 p.m. at Drover Pitch. JBU has already made one visit to Chickasha, Okla., this season, falling in a 3-2 regulation time decision to the Drovers on Oct. 10.

Last season, the Golden Eagles advanced to its second-straight SAC tournament title game with a 1-0 win over the Drovers at Drover Pitch, courtesy of a second-half Casey OBrien goal. JBU eventually fell in a 1-0 battle with Oklahoma Baptist in the title game.