SILOAM SPRINGS, Ark. -- In what has become a rivalry with major postseason implications, No. 24 Science & Arts (Okla.) escaped Alumni Field on Saturday (Oct. 6) afternoon with a 2-1 decision over the No. 6 John Brown University women's soccer team.
USAO's Cristina Ramos netted a pair of goals, including the game-winner in the 79th minute and the Drovers (10-3-0, 2-1-0 Sooner Athletic) held the Golden Eagles for the final 11 minutes of the contest to hand JBU its first conference setback in 28 matches, stretching back to 2015.
In fact, John Brown's last regular season conference loss came at the hands of USAO on Oct. 10, 2015, at Drover Pitch. Since then, the Golden Eagles hadn't been defeated in 27 consecutive outings.
Ramos' fifth of the season handed the visitors a 1-0 advantage in the 34th minute when her header from four yards out beat sophomore Caitlyn Logan at back post. Aubrey Ruttman provided the service off a free kick after USAO absorbed a foul 15 yards into Golden Eagle territory.
John Brown countered quickly, however, when a pair of reserves combined to tie the contest just two minutes later. Junior Hannah Sweaney played a ball into the middle from the left wing to junior Vanessa Reynoso attacking the goal. USAO's Brandi Hutchison came out to challenge, and just before collapsing on the play, Reynoso chipped a six-yard shot, her second goal of the season, over Hutchison to level the match at one apiece.
While both teams attempted nine shots in the first half, the Golden Eagles had numerous scoring chances right off the bat but couldn't convert. Just six minutes in, the hosts peppered Hutchison and the USAO goal, including a Sienna Nealon header that just sailed just to the left of the post and an Aspen Carpenter attempt that flew just over the crossbar.
In the 23rd minute, John Brown again knocked on the door when junior Kristen Howell blew past her defender and cut back from the goal line into the middle and let a shot go that squarely hit the left post behind Hutchison.
The second half was again another offensive onslaught as the hosts out-shot the Drover 13-4 in the frame, but USAO needed just one shot to make the difference.
Emma Rice began the play by sending a long cross pass into JBU's left corner. Emma Antill's pass into the box and Ramos one-touched the service from nine yards to the far right post, earning her sixth of the season.
In a frantic 12-minute stretch to end the contest, the Golden Eagles desperately attempted to level the score again, but a shot from Howell and then another from senior Jastin Redman were saved by Hutchison, including Paige Kula's rebound attempt off the Redman shot.
JBU finished with a 22-13 shooting advantage, but were only able to send five on target.
Logan finished the contest with three saves while Hutchison rejected four to pick up the win.
JBU now embarks on a three-match road swing, with its first stop on Saturday (Oct. 13) at Wayland Baptist in west Texas. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
