Harding (1-5-1, 0-1 GAC) at SWOSU (4-2-1, 1-0 GAC)
Friday, Oct 4 | 3 pm
Weatherford, Okla. (SWOSU Athletic Complex)
Live Stats |
Ouachita Baptist (6-1, 1-0 GAC) at SWOSU (4-2-1, 1-0 GAC)
Sunday, Oct. 6 | 1 pm
Weatherford, Okla. (SWOSU Athletic Complex)
Live Stats |
Weekly Notes (pdf)
Setting the Scene
After opening GAC play with a 2-0 win over Southern Nazarene, the SWOSU soccer team gets to host a pair of Arkansas foes for conference matches this weekend. Harding and Ouachita Baptist, the two teams defeated by the Lady Bulldogs in the 2012 Great American Conference tournament, return to Weatherford for regular season action as SWOSU hosts the Lady Bisons on Friday and the Tigers on Sunday.
The Coaches
Mark Persson is in his fifth season at SWOSU in 2013. He has orchestrated an amazing turnaround and he holds a 44-34-7 record leading the Lady Bulldogs, becoming the program's all-time winningest coach during the 2012 season. Persson has twice been recognized as a conference coach of the year, most recently claiming the GAC's honor in 2012.
Harding head coach Dr. Greg Harris is in his 13th season as the head coach of the women's soccer team in 2013. Harris also coached the men's team from 2001-10. A four-time Gulf South Conference Coach of the Year honoree, Harris has directed the Lady Bisons to six postseason appearances, including the 2004 NCAA Tournament.
Kevin Wright is the head coach of both the men's and women's soccer teams at Ouachita Baptist.
About the Opponents
Harding is 1-5-1 overall in 2013 and 0-1 in conference play following a 2-1 loss at home to Ouachita Baptist last weekend. The Lady Bisons have played a formidable non-conference schedule with losses against Drury, Northeastern State, Texas A&M-Commerce and Christian Brothers a win over Hendrix College and a tie against Texas Woman's.
Ouachita Baptist has been the early surprise of the 2013 season in the Great American Conference. After being picked to finish 3rd in the conference, the Tigers have started strong with a 6-1 overall record and a 1-0 GAC mark. OBU has defeated Central Baptist, McMurry, Angelo State, Delta State, Texas Woman's and Rogers State before suffering their first defeat against Northeastern State on Sunday.
Last Time Out
A pair of quick goals early in the second half put the SWOSU soccer team in control against Southern Nazarene on Friday evening. The Lady Bulldogs won the match 2-0 to open the Great American Conference season with a victory for the third consecutive season.
After holding a one shot advantage at the break, SWOSU broke through in the 56th minute on
Eva Rule's first goal of the season off an assist from
Jessica Carbonara. Less than two minutes later,
Charlotte Eastman connected on a free kick from 20 yards out and pushed the lead to 2-0.
Both teams attempted 13 shots for the game with SWOSU getting five on goal as opposed to three for SNU.
Miranda Balezentis attempted three shots, two on goal, while Carbonara and
Alexis Russell each got two shots off.
Courtney Flores made three saves and notched her third shutout in four games and earned the victory, improving to 3-1-1 on the year.
Four Straight GAC Weekly Honors
SWOSU senior defender
Kira Bertrand has been named the Great American Conference Defender of the Week. The conference office announced the weekly awards on Tuesday.
Bertrand anchored the Lady Bulldogs defense in a 2-0 shutout against Southern Nazarene on Friday. It marked the third time in four matches that SWOSU shutout an opponent and the Lady Bulldogs have allowed just one goal total in that span. SWOSU also allowed just three shots on goal to SNU in the match.
This is the first weekly GAC honor of 2012 for Bertrand, the two-time defending GAC Defender of the Year, and the sixth of her career. This also marks the fourth consecutive week that SWOSU had a player earn a conference honor and she joins
Samantha Nunez (offensive) and
Courtney Flores (goalkeeper) as players to earn the award.
Conference Tournament Rematch
SWOSU went through Harding and Ouachita Baptist to win the 2012 Great American Conference tournament. SWOSU defeated Harding 4-0 and OBU 2-1 en route to claiming the tournament championship.
Looking Ahead
SWOSU goes to Dallas Baptist next Friday before visiting Northwestern Okahoma State on Sunday.
