SEARCY, Ark. – SWOSU Soccer scored twice in the opening half and completed a postseason shutout to defeat Ouachita Baptist 3-0 Friday afternoon in the semifinals of the Great American Conference Tournament.
The third-seeded Bulldogs struck less than two minutes into the match and remained in control, advancing to the GAC Championship match for the first time since 2022.
Philippine de Sancy provided the early breakthrough just 1:52 into the contest, finishing a chance created by Braelee Epp. Her first goal of the season proved to be the game-winner and gave SWOSU an immediate advantage.
Ouachita attempted four shots in the opening half, but the Bulldog defense kept each off target. SWOSU doubled its lead in the 37th minute when Brekyn Cope found the net for an unassisted goal, sending the Bulldogs into halftime ahead 2-0.
Ouachita increased its pressure after the break and put four attempts on frame, but goalkeeper Emma Young and the SWOSU back line preserved the shutout. Young made two saves, while the defense kept two additional shots out of the net.
The Bulldogs continued creating chances of their own with 11 second-half shots. They put the match away in the 76th minute when de Sancy connected with Epp for the final goal. The pair reversed roles from the opening score, giving each a goal and an assist on the afternoon.
SWOSU finished with a 17-11 advantage in shots and placed seven attempts on goal compared to four by Ouachita. Saoirse Hourigan led the Bulldogs with five shots, including two on target, while Epp, de Sancy and Cope attempted two apiece.
Maya Thornburg, Tory Hume, Sandi Agudo and de Sancy each played the full 90 minutes as SWOSU secured its seventh shutout of the season.
SWOSU (9-3-7) will face top-seeded tournament host Harding in the GAC Championship on Sunday at 1 p.m. at Stevens Soccer Complex. The Bulldogs will seek their sixth tournament title after previously winning the championship in 2012, 2013, 2017, 2019 and 2022.
