BETHANY, Okla. -- Senior Lauren Walter rewrote the program record book and broke open the match with a quick brace that sent the No. 19 John Brown University women's soccer team to a commanding 6-0 clean sheet victory over Southwestern Christian (Okla.) on Tuesday afternoon (Oct. 1) at Cagle Family Field.
Walter's historic moment came early in the first half, as she headed in a precise cross from junior Aubrey Winter at the left flank to put JBU (5-4-1, 2-0-0 Sooner Athletic) on the board at the 7:06 mark. The goal, Walter's third of the season, not only set the tone for the match but also solidified her place in the program's all-time scoring list. The strike was the 58th of her career, bypassing the mark previous set in 2019 by Jastin Marulanda '18.
She would later add a second goal in the 27th minute, tallying her fourth goal of the season on a singular effort that took advantage of a SCU (1-3-4, 0-2-0) defensive giveaway. Walter's rip off the post and in built a commanding 2-0 visitor advantage.
JBU's offensive pressure was relentless throughout the match, with the Golden Eagles firing 20 shots, 14 of which were on target. Walter spearheaded the attack with six shots, five on frame. Southwestern Christian's goalkeeper, Marta Papandrea, was kept busy, recording eight saves. However, she was unable to stop the onslaught, as JBU continued to control possession and create quality chances.
After Walter's brace, the Golden Eagles extended their lead just before halftime. In the 43rd minute, senior Elise Bosma capped off a beautiful passing play from the right flank to the middle to the back post for her first goal of the season, with assists credited to sophomore Clare Barger and junior Lillian Johnson. The strike gave JBU a comfortable 3-0 lead heading into the break.
The second half saw more of the same, as JBU wasted little time resuming its scoring. Within 81 seconds of the restart, Winter scored her fifth goal of the season off an assist from Walter, pushing the lead to 4-0. The Golden Eagles continued to dictate the pace of the game, with freshman Joanna Long scoring her first collegiate goal, and Barger netting a tally in the 61st and 77th minutes, respectively, sealing the 6-0 victory.
In the win, Walter led the way with a game-high five points, tallying two goals and adding one assist. Bosma tallied a goal and two assists for four points, while Winter and Barger each posted three points, with Winter recording a goal and an assist, and Barger notching a goal and a helper. Long contributed two points with her second-half goal, while freshman Katherine Keys, Johnson, and freshman Marely Fonseca each earned one point for their assists.
While not facing a shot on goal, Fonseca picked up her second consecutive shutout and moved to 2-1-0 on the season. She also recorded her first career point, when her impressive goal kick bounced through the midfield before being flicked on by Bosma to a cutting Barger. Barger weaved through the back line and took advantage of Bosma's flick to balloon the JBU advantage to six.
The visitors boasted a 20-1 shooting advantage, marking a 41-3 Golden Eagle shooting advantage over the opposition through the first two Sooner Athletic matchups.
The Golden Eagles return to action on Saturday afternoon (Oct. 5), when Science & Arts (Okla.) makes its way to Alumni Field for a 12 p.m. scheduled kickoff. John Brown is 6-4-0 against the Drovers in Siloam Springs since 2014, with the hosts winning four of the last five.
The rivalry match will be carried live on the SAC Sports Network.
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