Box Score (html)
BETHANY, Okla. – SWOSU Soccer used late goals by
Erica Brunet and
Cori Kelly to claim a 2-0 victory on the road to Southern Nazarene to remain unbeaten in Great American Conference competition. It was the Bulldogs' seventh straight game without a defeat, and their seventh shutout in eight games.
Opposite a career night in goal for the Crimson Storm's Natasha Fuentes,
Courtney Flores was her usual composed self. She collected five saves, the most she's had since she made 11 saves against Central Oklahoma in the third match of the season, en route to a seventh clean sheet in eight games. She is now tied with fellow Bulldog Corey LaMoureaux for the career record at both SWOSU and in the GAC with 16 to her name.
Despite a bevy of excellent chances in the first half, the Bulldogs were held at bay by Fuentes. Neither
Samantha Nunez, nor Kelly were able to best the opposing keeper in the early going of the match.
Olivia Butler and
Payton Warren also found the time and room to put efforts on frame as the first half wore on, but the shots were parried away by Fuentes.
Defensively,
Courtney Flores was called into action three times. The reigning GAC Goalkeeper of the Week proved equal to the task each time, including on a tricky shot by Hannah Robinson that almost sneaked in under the cross bar. The defense held SNU to just four shots in the first half, and the teams entered the break tied at 0-0.
The second half started off dicey for SWOSU, as Southern Nazarene's Shanae Vasquez took a shot from range in the 53rd minute. Flores had to force the challenging shot into the cross bar, and collected the rebound, to keep the sides level.
Following several good chances, Nunez was able to muscle her defender off the ball in the 62nd minute, but yet again Fuentes kept her off the board. However, SNU's keeper was judged to have fouled Nunez on the save, giving the Bulldogs a penalty kick which Brunet coolly slotted home for her third goal of the season to put SWOSU up 1-0 in the 63rd minute.
Some clutch defending by
Dajhane Turner and
Kylee Bertrand helped keep the Crimson Storm off the board as the game entered the final stanza. Facing several corners and free kicks, Turner continually rose highest to meet the ball in the box and keep out the danger.
SWOSU finally wrestled momentum away from the SNU in the dying embers thanks to Nunez's relentless attacking pressure. A long run down the left side of the field resulted in a right-footed shot, her eighth of the match, which was pushed wide by Fuentes. Fortunately for the Bulldogs, Kelly crashed the goal for the easy tap in off the rebound to double the advantage in the 88th minute to seal the victory.
The Bulldogs took 26 shots and put 17 on frame, outshooting the hosts by a mark of 26-12. Nunez led the way with eight shots, including seven on goal, which ties her for the third-most in an individual match with three other players.
SWOSU returns to action on Saturday, October 10 when they make the trip to Shawnee, Oklahoma, to face the Lady Bison of Oklahoma Baptist at 7 pm.
