WEATHERFORD, Okla. – SWOSU Soccer struck twice in the opening 18 minutes and never looked back Saturday, picking up its second win over an MIAA opponent this week with a 3-1 victory over Emporia State.
The Bulldogs improved to 2-0-2 through four non-conference matches and finished a perfect 2-0 week after also defeating Newman back on Wednesday in Wichita.
SWOSU was the aggressor from the opening whistle and needed just over 12 minutes to break through. Kinsey Geasland opened the scoring at the 12:20 mark, finishing an assist from Elise LaForge for her team-leading third goal of the season.
Five minutes later, Geasland helped double the advantage. She found Braelee Epp for another Bulldog goal at 17:30, giving SWOSU an early 2-0 cushion. It was Epp's second goal of the season and gave Geasland three points in the match with a goal and an assist.
Emporia State generated more shot attempts as the half progressed, but the Bulldog defense limited the Hornets' quality looks and protected the two-goal advantage into halftime. Emma Young handled everything that reached her in goal, making six first-half saves.
The Bulldogs continued to create opportunities after the break and added insurance in the 63rd minute. Krysta Hook stepped to the penalty spot and converted for her first goal of the season, stretching the SWOSU advantage to 3-0.
Emporia State eventually broke through on a penalty kick of its own in the 85th minute, but the late goal was all the Hornets could muster as SWOSU closed out the 3-1 victory.
Emporia State finished with a 23-11 advantage in total shots, though the margin was much closer in shots on goal at 9-7. SWOSU made its opportunities count, putting seven of its 11 attempts on frame and scoring on three of them.
Young and Lelu Lamb split time in goal for the Bulldogs. Young stopped all six shots on goal she faced in the opening half, while Lamb made two saves after halftime.
Geasland finished with a team-high four shots, including three on goal, to go with her goal and assist. Epp put both of her attempts on frame and supplied the eventual game-winning goal.
SWOSU will face two more MIAA opponents next week to close out non-conference play. The Bulldogs travel to Missouri Western on Wednesday before returning home to host Central Oklahoma on Saturday.
