SILOAM SPRINGS, Ark. -- The top-seeded and 11th-ranked John Brown University women's soccer team wasted little time asserting its dominance Wednesday night (Nov. 5), rolling past eighth-seeded Wayland Baptist (Texas) 7-0 in the Sooner Athletic tournament quarterfinals at Alumni Field.
The Golden Eagles (11-2-4) struck early when sophomore Caitlin Hilson buried a corner service from senior Aubrey Winter right in front of goal. Sophomore Tianna Jones first got a boot on the ball, but Hilson scored her opportunity to record her fourth of the year and second game-winner of 2025.
Just as the shotless visitors hoped to reach halftime down a lone goal, Winter's eighth of the season doubled the lead in with just eight seconds left, slipping home a composed strike off a sophomore Katherine Keys' midfield volley to the top of the box, sending the Blue and Gold into the intermission with momentum ahead 2-0.
The floodgates opened immediately after the restart. Less than three minutes into the second half, junior Julia Lambert carried the ball the entire way from the center line, forced two defenders to miss, cut back and let go a curling shot to the right pocket of goal from the top of the box, netting her team-leading 12th of the year.
Keys made it 4-0 in the 67th minute with a determined finish into the empty goal off a beautiful pass from Jones through the Pioneer back line, and two minutes later, junior Brooklyn Hendricks opened her Blue and Gold account by scoring an off-angle shot just yards away from the right post set up by Hilson and junior Addie Craig.
The Golden Eagles weren't finished. Olivia Fish converted her seventh in the 71st minute from 25 yards, sailing a long shot over the Pioneer keeper, and a Wayland Baptist own goal capped a relentless five-goal half that left no doubt.
John Brown outshot the Pioneers 20-4 and placed 11 on target while earning a 9-2 edge in corner kicks. Sophomore Marely Fonseca (11-1-3) faced just two shots on frame and turned both aside for her ninth shutout of the season behind a back line that never allowed a serious look until the final minutes. Fonseca's leaping save on a curling shot from Ashley Perez destined for the top shelf ensured the keeper's second-straight clean sheet.
Hilson, Winter, Keys and Hendricks each finished with a goal and an assist, while Jones, Craig and Fish also recorded points as seven different players found the scoresheet. The Golden Eagles have now outscored opponents 68-13 on the campaign.
Wayland Baptist (5-10-1) managed only four total attempts, two from Narriah Gomez and Ashley Perez, while keeper Ashley Lopez collected four saves in the loss.
With the win, John Brown advances to the semifinal round and will host Mid-America Christian (Okla.) on Saturday night (Nov. 8) at 6 p.m. at Alumni Field. The two sides played to a 2-2 draw in Siloam Springs during the regular season. The teams will battle live on the SAC Sports Network and the Urban Edge Network.
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