Lady Eagles record additional losses from weekend games

Photo by: Roxie Gonzalez

The Oklahoma Christian University women’s soccer team continued to struggle over the weekend, recording their fourth consecutive loss.

In spite of their disappointing beginning, sophomore Amanda Cooper said the team is reducing distractions of past games as much as possible and preparing for the upcoming match.

“The mental approach and attitude going into this weekend’s games is that we just need to take each game one game at a time,” Cooper said. “This weekend, we are going to approach each opponent like we do every other team. We are playing 10 players and a goalie. We need to focus on what we can improve on and what we can do better as a team and not our opponent.”

The Lady Eagles’ early season has been plagued with injuries, leaving younger players to fill the void.

“My team has really stepped up, we have come together and are even stronger and closer,” sophomore Monique Raygoza said. “It’s hard to play without some of our girls, but we are all trying to make the best of it and play for the girls that are hurt, because we know how bad they want to be on the field playing. The attitude is very positive. We are always happy and have smiles on our faces right up until practice/games start, and even then you’ll see some of us still smiling while playing. Our attitudes are not only happy but determined as well.”

Oklahoma Christan’s positive outlook was hampered as it traveled to west Texas on Sept. 19 to take on 14-ranked Angelo State University, where it fell 8-0.

Freshman Madeline Roseke recorded Oklahoma Christian’s only shot attempt, which was saved by Angelo State goalkeeper Natalie Nielsen. Lady Eagles standout goalkeeper Lindsey Williams added five saves to her record-breaking season, while freshman goalkeeper Carly Caplinger saw her first collegiate action, when she entered the game in the 72nd minute, recording three saves.

The Lady Eagles’ continued their Texas tour on Sept. 21 to take on non-conference opponent, the University of Texas-Permian Basin Falcons.

Fatigue caught up to the team, ending its Texas road trip with a 2-0 loss to the Falcons.

Oklahoma Christian started off the game defensively, but the Lady Falcons broke through to score in the 33rd minute when Jasmin Lopez assisted Alexa Branum for the goal.

The Lady Eagles had opportunities to score, shooting 11, with an exceptionally close call in the 49th minute, when sophomore Devon Palluth’s shot hit the crossbar, just missing a goal.

The game remained at 1-0 until the 82nd minute, when Lopez and Branum switched roles from their earlier play. Branum assisted Lopez for the goal that would seal the 2-0 victory for the Texas-Permian Basin.

The Falcons nearly doubled Oklahoma Christian’s offensive attempts, outshooting the Lady Eagles 20-11.

According to Cooper, the team looks forward to introducing several veteran players back into practice.

“I would definitely have to say that a few positives we are building on would be that a few of our injured players are retuning back to practices and games,” Cooper said.

The Lady Eagles returned to action Thursday night at 7 p.m., taking on Heartland Conference rival, Newman University of Kansas.