She shoots… She scores… Twice!
Caid Jefferson has scored plenty of goals throughout her soccer career, and she puts two more notches under the belt in Oklahoma Christian University’s 2-0 season-opening victory over Colorado Christian. The junior forward provided all the offense the Lady Eagles needed, scoring once in each half while the Lady Eagles defense kept the Cougars off the board.
Jefferson’s first goal came just 10:50 into the match, but the play started with a simple promise to herself.
Jenna Munson and Rylan McIntyre had already sent several dangerous balls across the box that Jefferson could not quite connect with. After another missed opportunity, Jefferson decided the next one would be different.
“I remember thinking to myself, ‘Alright, next ball you’re getting any part of your body on,’” Jefferson said.
Munson sent another ball into the box, and this time Jefferson got more than just any part of her body on it. She headed it into the net to put the Lady Eagles ahead 1-0.
It was Oklahoma Christian’s first goal of the season, and Jefferson’s first header in her entire soccer career.
“In complete disbelief, I jumped for joy and ran to Jenna because I’ve never scored a header,” Jefferson said. “In my entire career!”
The celebration was understandable, but Jefferson was not finished.
Her first goal gave Oklahoma Christian a 1-0 advantage going into halftime. Early in the second half, Jefferson found herself with another opportunity, this time one-on-one with the Colorado Christian goalkeeper, Kenzie Kuntiz.
Unlike her first goal, Jefferson had practiced this one before.
Earlier that week, Jefferson said she missed around five similar one-on-one opportunities during practice and began getting discouraged. Instead of leaving the field frustrated, she stayed after practice the day before the game with teammates Jordan Tanges and Breanna Wooten to work on finishing one-on-one chances under pressure.
At the 56:36 mark against Colorado Christian, the extra work paid off.
“I remember feeling composed throughout the play and talking myself through it,” Jefferson said. “I trusted myself because I had prepared the day before.”
Jefferson finished the opportunity to give the Lady Eagles a 2-0 lead and complete her two-goal afternoon.
The performance was also an early glimpse of what Jefferson and Munson might be able to create together. Munson assisted both of Jefferson’s goals, giving the pair what Jefferson jokingly called “instant chemistry.”
“We were joking about being the dynamic duo,” Jefferson said. “She really is a talented and very intelligent player.”
Jefferson said Munson’s ability to drop deeper on the field creates space for her to make dangerous runs behind opposing defenses. Against Colorado Christian, that combination worked twice.
While Jefferson, with help from Munson, provided the offensive spark, the Lady Eagles handled business at the other end of the field. Goalkeeper Breanna Wooten recorded three saves as Oklahoma Christian held Colorado Christian scoreless for the full 90 minutes. The Cougars managed seven shots, with only three reaching the target.
The result gave Oklahoma Christian a 1-0 start to the 2026 season and a measure of revenge after Colorado Christian defeated the Lady Eagles 3-2 the previous year.
For Jefferson, though, the performance meant more than two goals on a stat sheet.
She entered the season with some uncertainty after dealing with a knee issue during the summer that required a PRP injection. Getting back on the field, and immediately making an impact, gave her another reason to appreciate the opportunity to play.
“I am so grateful the Lord has given me the opportunity to do what I love at the collegiate level,” Jefferson said. “Time and time again, the Lord shows His goodness and has kept me from injury and given me confidence in the stability of my knee.”
Jefferson also believes her role with the Lady Eagles extends beyond putting the ball in the net. Although she is not a team captain, she sees herself as someone responsible for setting the energy and leading through her effort and attitude.
“As a junior and a seasoned player, I know I have a responsibility to encourage those around me and pick them up when they are struggling,” Jefferson said. While she acknowledges that some things are beyond her control, she understands what she can influence. “I know that I can always control my attitude and my effort.”
That leadership might not appear in a box score.
Two goals certainly do.
And for Jefferson, the season could hardly have started better: a win, a clean sheet, two trips to the back of the net and, finally, one goal she has waited her entire soccer career to score.
A header.
Be First to Comment