Box Score (html)
EDMOND, Okla. – Hannah Elrod chose a good time to open her account for the Bulldogs as her 86th minute goal proved to be the game-winner in a 1-0 victory over Oklahoma Christian on Thursday night under the lights.
The first half was all SWOSU as the Bulldogs attacked with the wind. The first true scoring chances came when
Samantha Nunez found
Cori Kelly, but OC's Carina Schanz dove low to save it. A corner served in by
Olivia Butler provided the Dawgs with their next chance, but
Charlotte Eastman's volley was saved again. Nunez followed that up with a break down the right wing that saw only the keeper to beat. Unfortunately, Schanz proved equal to the task yet again to preserve the deadlock.
Courtney Flores and the defense met nominal pressure, with Flores' lone save of the half coming off a weak effort by the Lady Eagles' Areli Bermudez. Frustratingly, the Bulldogs found themselves tied 0-0 at the break.
The second was a dreary affair up until the last 10 minutes before the action kicked up a notch.
Shelley Mueller preserved the score line late in the game by smartly staying on the back post, blocking a header Bermudez that was destined for the back of the net. Not five minutes later,
Hannah Elrod took matters into her own hands as she took four touches before ripping a right-footed shot over the outstretched fingertips of Schanz for her first goal of the season.
The defense marshalled by
Dajhane Turner and
Kylee Bertrand bottled up OC's leading score Rubi Villegas, helping Flores to her second clean sheet of the season. It was the second time in three games the Bulldogs have kept an opponent off the boad.
SWOSU (3-2) closes out their non-conference slate with a home match against Newman on Saturday, Sept. 19 at 3 pm.
