Setting the Scene
- After a successful 2-0 road trip last week, the SWOSU Soccer team will return to the Athletic Complex as they play a pair of Great American Conference matches this week
- The Bulldogs will host Southern Nazarene on Thursday at 3 pm and Oklahoma Baptist on Saturday at 11 am
- SWOSU will face Oklahoma Baptist in a rematch of last year's championship game of the GAC Tournament, with both teams currently tied for first place in the conference
- Oklahoma Baptist is the reigning GAC regular season champions and currently have a 4-0 conference record
- The Bulldogs come into the week riding a four game win streak during which they have outscored their opponents 20-2
 
The Opponents
Southern Nazarene (1-9, 0-4 GAC)
- The Crimson Storm's last match was Saturday, where they lost 2-0 to East Central in Bethany
- Southern Nazarene has been out shot this season, as they are averaging just 8.8 shots a game and are allowing 27 shots to opponents
- As a team the Crimson Storm have put 43 of their 88 shots on goal for a .489 shots on goal percentage
 
Oklahoma Baptist (6-4, 4-0 GAC)
- The Bison were victorious in their last match, as they defeated East Central 3-1 in Ada
- Oklahoma Baptist has found most of their success in the second half, netting more than half of their goals this season in the final half of play
- The Bison are second in the GAC in total goals scored with 18 goals this season, and are averaging 1.8 goals a game
 
Around the League
- SWOSU and Oklahoma Baptist sit at the top of the conference standings with matching 4-0 records in conference play, however SWOSU has a better overall record at 6-2-1
- Harding currently holds the third position in the standings with a 3-2 conference record after defeating Ouachita on Tuesday
-  Ouachita (2-3), East Central (1-3), Northwestern Oklahoma State (1-3) and Southern Nazarene (0-4) round out the standings   
 
The Coaches
SWOSU: Mark Persson (93-63-20; 10th season)
- Since taking over the program in 2009, Persson has become the winningest coach in SWOSU Soccer history
- Persson's teams have won three regular season Great American Conference Championships and three GAC Tournament championships
- He has coached three All-Americans, 24 all-region players and numerous all-conference players in his time in Weatherford
-  Persson is a two time GAC Coach of the Year
 
SNU: Julie Duncan (77-95-6; 9th season)
- Duncan enters her ninth season leading the Crimson Storm, after a previous stint as an assistant coach
- She was named the GAC Coach of the Year in 2014, after leading her team to a regular season Great American Conference Championship
- Duncan also played at Southern Nazarene, as she helped lead the Crimson Storm to their first ever NAIA National Tournament appearance
 
OBU: Mike White (97-64-12; 9th season)
- White is in his ninth season at helm of the Bison after spending two years as the assistant coach
- He was named the GAC Coach of the Year last season, after his team claimed their first regular season GAC Championship
- Coach White has produced four All-Americans, nine all-region players and numerous all-conference selections during his tenure with the program  
 
SWOSU Notes
- The Bulldogs are returning to the SWOSU Athletic Complex after going 2-0 last weekend with wins over Ouachita and Harding
- Alimata Rabo continues to dominate opponents as she leads Division II in total points (34) and total goals (14), while also ranking second in points per game (3.78) and goals per game (1.56)
- Rabo had another impressive week, recording four goals in two games, including a first half hat trick against Ouachita on her way to her third GAC Offensive Player of the Week honor this season
- Sandra Nabweteme is also wreaking havoc for the opposition, as she ranks in the top five in Division II in total points (30), total goals (12), points per game (3.33) and goals per game (1.33)
- Memory Phiri continues to have a productive season, totaling six goals this season and boasting a shot on goal percentage of .737
- Steffi Silvera has been a force in goal for SWOSU, recording three shutouts this season and has accumulated 38 saves allowing 11 goals
- As a team the Bulldogs rank in the Top 10 in Division II in scoring offense (3.67), total goals (33), points per game (9.33) and total points (84)
- Anchored by senior Erica Brunet, the SWOSU defense is holding opponents to just 12.0 shots a game and a .463 shot on goal percentage
- As a team, the Bulldogs have registered 100 of those 181 shots as shots on goal giving them a .552 shots on goal percentage
 
 
Looking Ahead
- SWOSU will host rival Northwestern Oklahoma State on Tuesday, October 9 in the SWOSU Athletic Complex at 4 pm