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Setting the Scene: 
- SWOSU Soccer hosts Central Oklahoma on Thursday, September 7 for the first home contest of the 2017 season
- The non-conference match will begin at 4 pm from the Athletic Complex
- Last season, the Bulldogs played UCO to a tie at 2-2 after scoring two late goals and avoiding defeat in Edmond
 
The Coaches: 
SWOSU: Mark Persson (81-60-15; 9th season)
- Since taking over the program in 2009, Persson has amassed a 80-59-15 record, becoming the all-time winningest coach in program history
- Persson has now led the Bulldogs to three regular season Great American Conference crowns and two GAC Tournament championships in the last five years
- A two time All-Conference Coach of the Year, Persson holds a 46-27-7 record in GAC play
- He has coached three All-Americans, 16 All-Region players, and numerous All-Conference players during his time in Weatherford
 
UCO: Mike Cook (280-104-28; 20th season)
- Cook came to UCO after spending ten years at Southern Nazarene; five as an assistant and five as the head coach
- He ranks among the top Divison II coaches for all-time wins and winning percentage
- Coach Cook has led UCO to 10 national playoff appearances since 2000
- Played nine years of professional soccer, getting inducted into the United Soccer Leagues Hall of Fame in 2006
 
The Opponent
Central Oklahoma (0-2)
- The Bronchos are off to a winless start in 2017, dropping early season contests to Angelo State 3-0 and Texas A&M-Commerce 2-1
- Last season, UCO finished with a 15-7-1 record, falling in the MIAA Championship game to Central Missouri
- Central Oklahoma was awarded an at-large bid to the NCAA Central Region Tournament, beating Minot State in the opening round before having their season come to an end by Central Missouri
- Kelsey Gordan has recorded the only goal for the team this year on offense and Kaitlyn Asher has collected 10 saves at goalkeeper
 
Bulldog Facts
- After being shutout against fifth-ranked Central Missouri in the season opener, SWOSU bounced back to net three balls against Southwest Baptist to earn the 3-1 victory
- Memory Phiri, a junior college transfer from Northern Oklahoma-Tonkawa, scored the first goal of her Bulldog career and began the scoring against SBU
- Erica Brunet converted on a penalty kick for her first goal of the season, matching her goal count from last season
- Kirstyn Eustace finished off the scoring with a late insurance goal, giving the junior the first goal of her three-year career
- SWOSU was on the attack from much of the match against SBU, putting pressure on the Bearcat backline in non-stop fashion with 25 shots (11 on goal)
- Defensively, the Dawgs limited SBU to just two shots in 90 minutes of play and both of which came in the second half     
 
Looking Ahead
- SWOSU will play at home again a week from Thursday on September 14 against West Texas A&M at 3 pm
- They will close out the non-conference schedule against Angelo State in San Angelo on Sept. 17 before hosting rival Northwestern on Sept. 19 to kick off the Great American Conference schedule