ARKADELPHIA – The Ouachita women's soccer team held onto its first place spot in the Great American Conference standings with a 2-0 win over East Central on Saturday at home.

The first half was a defensive battle with Ouachita (7-1-5, 4-1-2 GAC) holding ECU (1-8-3, 1-2-3) without a shot on frame and ECU allowing just three Ouachita shots total.

The purple Tigers broke the scoreless tie in the 38th minute when Hattie Gardner's cross from the right side near the end line found Fernanda Valencia, who headed the ball in for her third goal of the season and seventh of her career. It was Gardner's first collegiate assist.

Ouachita added another goal in the 81st minute on a hard shot from Hattie Gardner that found the top right corner of the net following passes from Josilyn Kispert and Gracen Turner. It was the second goal of Gardner's freshman campaign. For Kispert and Turner, it was assist No. 1 and No. 2 of the season, respectively.

The final stats of the game ended up almost even with nine shots total for each team. Ouachita had a 4-2 edge in shots on goal.

Michele Snow recorded two saves in her full game in the net. It was her seventh shutout of the season and 23rd of her career.

Ouachita is back in action next Wednesday, October 18 on the road against Northwestern Oklahoma State.