ARKADELPHIA, Arkansas
- The Ouachita Baptist University women's soccer team delivered a dominant performance Saturday afternoon, defeating East Central University 5-0 at Kluck Field. Five goals from four different Tigers highlighted the offensive explosion, while Ouachita's defense recorded a shutout to secure the victory.
McKenna Wright led the offensive charge with two goals and an assist, while
Christina Alvarez,
Patience English and
Raeleigh Pope each found the back of the net. The Tigers controlled the offensive opportunities throughout the match, outshooting East Central 20-10 and holding a 7-2 advantage in corner kicks.
Alvarez opened the scoring at the 34:27 mark, finishing a right-footed shot into the bottom-left corner of the net.
Reese Brown and Wright were credited with assists on the play, giving the Tigers a 1-0 advantage.
Ouachita continued to apply pressure throughout the remainder of the opening half, finishing the period with an 11-4 advantage in shots. The Tigers carried their one-goal lead into halftime.
The Ouachita offense wasted little time extending its lead following the break. Just 33 seconds into the second half, English found the back of the net off an assist from
Kaylee McKinley. English placed a right-footed shot into the bottom-right corner to double the Tigers' advantage to 2-0.
Wright took over offensively just over nine minutes later, scoring her first goal of the afternoon at the 54:57 mark. Her unassisted strike found the top-center portion of the net, pushing Ouachita's lead to 3-0.
Following an East Central handball, Wright capitalized on the ensuing free kick opportunity, sending another right-footed shot into the bottom-right corner to extend the advantage to 4-0.
Ouachita added its fifth and final goal in the 77th minute when Pope connected on a shot into the bottom-right corner.
Tracey Smith provided the assist on the play, giving the Tigers their largest scoring output of the season.
The Tigers' defensive effort was equally impressive, limiting East Central to just one shot on goal across the full 90 minutes.
Goalkeeper
Dominique Klujian played the entire match in goal for Ouachita, recording one save and earning her fourth shutout of the season. The Tigers' back line held East Central scoreless despite 10 total shot attempts.
The Tigers finished the contest with eight shots on goal compared to just one for East Central. Ouachita also held a 9-6 advantage in second-half shots while scoring four times over the final 45 minutes.
Ouachita will take on Oklahoma Baptist on Wednesday, October 14 at 3 p.m. in Shawnee, Oklahoma.
