CHICKASHA, Okla. -- Freshman Melody Hagen scored the game-tying goal with 3:37 left in the second half, but after a pair of scoreless overtime sessions, top-seeded Science & Arts (Okla.) scored on each of its five penalty kicks to claim the 2015 Sooner Athletic Conference tournament title over the third-seeded John Brown womens soccer team (13-6-2) on Friday (Nov. 13) evening at Drover Pitch.
The loss came in JBUs third-consecutive opportunity to claim an automatic berth into the NAIA National Championships. After advancing on penalty kicks against Oklahoma City in 2013, the Golden Eagles dropped a 1-0 decision at Oklahoma Baptist in the 2014 finals.
With the win, USAO (12-5-3) earns the conferences lone automatic berth.
After the 1-1 double-overtime draw, the match had to be decided in penalty kick fashion. The Drovers netted all five opportunities while John Brown converted three of four chances. JBU wasnt able to shoot a fifth time as USAOs Zoe Watkins struck the title-winner past junior keeper Hannah Poor for a 5-3 win in the shootout.
John Brown dominated nearly every facet of the game and out-shot the hosts 30-8 through 110 minutes of play. The visitors also held a 13-4 shots on goal advantage and an 8-5 margin in corner kicks.
"I am so proud of these girls and the character they displayed tonight," said head coach Kathleen Paulsen. "To battle back in the last four minutes of the game to tie it up and then to fight through overtime was remarkable. We have nothing to hang our heads about."
The Golden Eagles had plenty of chances to score as the shots piled up against Drover keeper Brandi Hutchison. Senior Nicole Kosin had a prime opportunity in the eighth middle at the middle of the box. Kosin rifled a hard shot destined for the top shelf, but Hutchison shot up and corralled the attempt to keep the game scoreless.
With just over 10 minutes remaining in the first period, Poor was called upon to preserve the shutout when USAOs leading scorer, Ryah Vyse, closed in on JBUs goal unmarked. Poor rushed out to meet the striker at the top of the 18 and scooped up the would-be scoring chance before Vyse had an opportunity to volley a shot.
In what appeared to be a broken play just before the close of the first half, Science & Arts found the scoreboard when Poor was unable to handle a rolling ball through the box, which found the feet of Taylor Arnold staring at a wide-open goal. Arnold tipped the ball just before it met Poors hands and continued to roll in her third of the season, handing the hosts a stunning 1-0 lead after the Golden Eagles piled up an 11-3 shooting advantage in the first frame.
Continuing the momentum of the first 45 minutes, JBU unleashed 16 shots in the second frame, allowing the Drovers only four opportunities.
The Golden Eagles nearly tied the game at one apiece in the 82nd minute when senior Julie Whitlow sent in a free kick from the middle-right flank. Junior Sarah Lachance flicked a header towards the goal, forcing Hutchison to make a sprawling save. Off the rebound, freshman Aspen Robinson had an open goal, but fired a shot directly into Hutchison, who was laying on the ground recovering from the initial stop.
With time running out and its season nearing a close, John Brown pressed and earned its final corner kick of regulation. Sophomore Sara Frey delivered a perfect ball that fell into a swath of players in the box. Robinson was able to unload a shot in close range, but the attempt was blocked, sending the ball in the air. Not giving up on the play, Robinson sent a header attempt that was also blocked. Finally, the third attempt was the charm when Hagen struck for her fifth of the season as her shot found a way through a myriad of bodies and past Hutchison, to the delight of the Golden Eagle faithful which made a tremendous showing in Chickasha.
Armed with renewed confidence, JBU returned to the pitch for the first overtime session where it controlled play and held a 3-1 shooting advantage.
The Golden Eagles again had a chance to put the game away in the third period when Lachance played a perfect through ball past the Drover back line to a streaking Robinson. Robinson one-touched the pass past an oncoming Hutchison, but with a wide open goal, a Drover defender was able to interrupt Robinsons run and prevent the game-winner.
The second overtime session resembled a chess match as both teams played a defensive-first approach as penalty kicks loomed.
Despite the difficult defeat, John Brown capped off its 13-win season by knocking off the conferences top-seeded team in the tournament semifinals for the second-consecutive year. Also, with its 30-8 shooting advantage, the Golden Eagles handed the Drovers its most lopsided shooting result of the season.
Three Golden Eagles closed their collegiate careers tonight in seniors Nicole Kosin, Julie Whitlow and Alex Fahr. The trio have experienced the second-most wins over any four-year span in program history and have helped JBU to a 47-21-10 (.603) mark since 2012.
"To our seniors, I am so grateful for your leadership and investment into this program over the last four years," Paulsen added. "Each of you have truly left a legacy, but as I always say, legacy is never left in the scorebooks, but rather in the hearts and minds of the people that you touch. We all can attest to that legacy as we saw greatness lived out in you through your humility, service and leadership."
