Box Score (html)
WEATHERFORD, Okla. – SWOSU Soccer fell to Harding in the eighth round of penalty kicks after finishing regulation and both overtime periods tied 2-2. The hard-fought loss ends the Bulldog's season with a final record of 12-4-3.
HU's Emma Chilton got the Lady Bisons on the board first in the 34th minute after a rebounded
Courtney Flores bounced back in front of the goalie box and got kicked into the back of the net. Harding extended that lead in the 74th minute when Bethany Sutherland headed her sister's (Melita Sutherland) cross pass past a defending Flores to go up 2-0.
The Bulldogs trailed by two goals with less than five minutes remaining in the match when
Sandra Nabweteme shot from deep distance and scored in the 86th minute to cut the lead in half. A minute later, the Bulldog attack was on the move again and threatening when
Alimata Rabo was fouled in the box that allowed a SWOSU penalty kick to be taken. Nabweteme lined up and kicked it home to make her a perfect six for six this season on penalty kicks. In a matter of two minutes, SWOSU tied the match up and the game headed to overtime.
After two-straight 10 minute sessions of scoreless soccer, the match went into the dramatic penalty kick ending to decide who would claim the championship title. Harding took an early advantage after their goalkeeper Jessica Woessner denied Nabweteme's lead-off attempt and Bethany Sutherland scored her shot past a diving Flores.
In rounds two and three, each team converted on their opportunities that still gave HU the one-kick advantage. Rabo stepped up in the fourth round and was denied by Woessner, giving Harding the chance for a win. Melita Sutherland shot for the Lady Bisons and missed high, giving the Dawgs new life. After
Lauren Williams netted her ball, Flores stepped up to deny HU's Morgan Springborn attempt to force sudden death kick attempts. Teams traded scores for two rounds before Woessner blocked a
Kirstyn Eustace ball that would be the last shot for the Dawgs. The Lady Bison's Sierra Phillips shot a ball past an outstretched Flores that found the back of the net, giving Harding the conference championship.
The Bulldogs placed three players on the GAC All-Conference Team after the conclusion of the game.
Courtney Flores,
Olivia Butler, and
Sarah Wilson each received recognition for their performances throughout the tournament. SWOSU ends their season with back-to-back ties after advancing to penalty kicks in both post-season matches.
