Lady Eagles soccer avoid loss, still winless

Photo by Roxie Gonzalez

 

The Lady Eagles soccer team broke its 10-game losing streak with a tie against Newman University on Oct. 25 before recording a loss to Rogers State on Oct. 27.

Oklahoma Christian University lost to Newman in a non conference game at home in late September, but ended Saturday’s game in a stalemate.

According to sophomore Amanda Cooper, the team looked to take an optimistic mindset but still mindful on their previous game.

“The mindset going into the Newman game was positive,” Cooper said. “We have played Newman once before this season so we knew their style of play and what they brought to the game. We knew what was needed to be done if we wanted to be successful on the field.”

The Lady Eagles were riding a long losing streak going into the Newman game, but a first career goal by Cooper ended the Eagles losing streak.

“Amanda Cooper did a great job creating her opportunity and then following up for the goal,” Women’s Soccer Head Coach Randall Robison said. “That was the spark that we needed to start the second half.”

Lindsey Williams and Carly Caplinger recorded 15 saves to withstand Newman’s offense. Newman goalkeeper Haley Borchers had two saves.

According to Robison, his team’s defense kept them in the game.

“That was certainly a better performance for our team,” Robison said. “After a dodgy first half, the girls battled and competed throughout the second half and both overtimes. Other than just a couple of opportunities that we gave them, we were sound defensively. We created a good number of chances throughout the last half of the game.”

The Newman Lady Jets outshot the Lady Eagles 21-6 in the entire game with Oklahoma Christian taking no shots in the first half.

The Jets took the lead in the 17th minute when Harriet Jakeman scored off a rebound from Mei-Mei Senthavy’s initial shot that ricocheted off the goal post.

Cooper made her goal in the same fashion, scoring off a rebound when the initial shot bounced off the goal post.

Williams recorded her fifth double-digit defensive performance of the season with 12 saves on Saturday. Caplinger, who subbed in for Williams in the first 10-minute overtime period, had three saves.

Cooper said while the team wanted a win, coming from a deficit to tie the game was still an accomplishment.

“After the game we were obviously disappointed that we didn’t get the win in the end after playing 110 minutes of soccer,” Cooper said. “However, we were happy that we were able to end our losing streak and come back to tie up the game after an early goal from Newman.”

The Lady Eagles hoped to build on their good fortune when they traveled to Claremore, Oklahoma to face Rogers State on Oct. 27.

The Lady Eagles came out shooting early, but didn’t score until the second half. Despite scoring two key goals in the second half, the Lady Eagles fell to Rogers State 3-2 with all of the game’s goals coming in the second half.

Goals for the Eagles came from Courtney Nixon in the 78th minute and Estefania Bermudez in the 84th minute.

The three goals for Rogers State came from Leigh Ann Craig in the 54th minute, Jianna Cervantes in the 61st minute and Blair Thomas in the 82nd minute.

Oklahoma Christian and Rogers State were even in shots, both posting 18 shots.

Lindsey Williams recorded five saves while Teri Cocke of Rogers saved six.

According to sophomore Bailey Barron, each game is a new opportunity to improve and win.

“I’ll admit, it is tough to deal with all the struggles, but what is it going to help if all of us get down and negative,” sophomore Bailey Barron said. “We are continuing to practice hard and compete each game looking to end the season with a good stretch of games.”

The Lady Eagles host Lubbock Christian on Saturday at 5 p.m., and will conclude their regular season the following Monday when they host the University of Texas-Permian Basin.