Box Score ALVA, Okla. – Northwestern Oklahoma State scored goals from Kaitlyn O'Toole and Arlet Polack to beat SWOSU 2-1.
Charlotte Eastman recorded a consolation goal the Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs started off strong, with
Cori Kelly and
Jasmine Heffley both recording shots inside the first two minutes of the game. Heffley's shot required the Rangers' keeper, Courtney Herian, into the first of three first half saves. NWOSU eventually wrestled control away from SWOSU, taking ten of the next 12 shots and forcing
Courtney Flores into three saves over the next 20 minutes.
The Rangers struck first in the 44th minute courtesy of Kaitlyn O'Toole. Great American Conference assist leader Jessica Lynch found O'Toole, who took a shot from outside the box. The shot took a bounce over the head of Flores and into the goal for the lead.
Immediately after play resumed, NWOSU's Ellen Trotter received the game's first yellow card. Eastman forced Herian into one more save before the referee signaled for halftime with the Bulldogs down 1-0.
The sides came out for the second half and NWOSU found the back of the net a second time within five minutes of the restart. Arlet Polack scored the goal off an assist from Leidiane Capobianco. Capobianco whipped in a cross and Polack dove to head the ball across the line to double the Rangers lead in the 49th minute.
SWOSU managed to pull one back in the 89th minute.
Olivia Butler whipped in a corner and Eastman's shot nestled into the lower right corner of the goal for her team-leading fifth goal of the season. The assist was Butler's fifth of the campaign, which ties her with
Ashlee Beitinger,
Alexis Russell and Sarah Green for the sixth most in a single season. Her assist total also ties her for ninth in career assists.
The loss drops SWOSU to 2-6-2 in conference play and eliminates the Bulldogs from the GAC tournament. They will play one final game on Sunday, November 2 at 12 PM against No. 25 Angelo State at the Athletic Complex.
