SILOAM SPRINGS -- The Golden Eagle midfield and back line posted its strongest performance of the 2021 season, while senior Megan Hutto and sophomore Aniyah Gibbs tallied goals in the second half, leading the No. 9 John Brown University women's soccer team to a 2-0 victory over No. 13 Oklahoma Wesleyan on Monday (Sept. 6) afternoon at Alumni Field.
Hutto scored her second of the season just 2:02 into the second half when she poked the ball past OKWU keeper Nerea Perez Mora in a one-on-one battle, and Gibbs' second of the season capped off another corner kick that found the back of the goal to provide the insurance marker.
Senior Caitlyn Logan boasted three saves, notching her second clean sheet of the season, but also tied the program record of 37 career shutouts, set most recently by Kristen Morency '16. JBU now boasts a shutout streak of 270:00 to begin the 2021 season.
Hutto's goal, her third career game-winner, began with freshman Renny Buchanan pushing the ball through the midfield. Her pass just across the center line was flicked on by sophomore Lauren Walter to Hutto breaking through the Wesleyan back line. Walters' flick bested the Eagle defense and Hutto broke in all alone to slide a shot on the floor past Perez Mora for a 1-0 Golden Eagle lead.
Gibbs provided the insurance marker late in the second half when she headed in a Vanessa Reynoso corner at the back post off an OKWU defender – all but ending Wesleyan's hopes of handing John Brown its first defeat at Alumni Field since Aug. 31, 2019 – when Wesleyan downed JBU in extra time, 2-1.
Since that match, John Brown is undefeated in 21 consecutive matches (18-0-3) in Siloam Springs.
John Brown (3-0-0) edged out the visitors by sending five of the first half's eight shots towards the opposing keeper. The hosts managed a 7-5 margin in the second half to finish with a 12-8 shooting advantage.
With eight in the first half, the Golden Eagles enjoyed a 10-6 advantage in corner kicks.
OKWU's (2-1-0) Laura Maria led all players with three shots. Hutto, Walter and senior Alair Love paced the Golden Eagles with two apiece.
John Brown's impressive schedule continues to roll in top-25 talent as No. 16 Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) travels to Siloam Springs to take on the Golden Eagles on Saturday (Sept. 11) at 7 p.m. The match will air live on the SAC Sports Network.
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