ARKADELPHIA - The Ouachita Baptist University women's soccer team earned a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Southern Nazarene University on Saturday afternoon at Kluck Field, using a second-half goal from
Patience English and a strong defensive performance to secure another Great American Conference win.
After a scoreless first half, Ouachita finally broke through in the 75th minute when English found the back of the net off a corner kick from
Tracey Smith. Smith delivered the ball from the left corner toward the far post, where English connected for her second goal of the season to give the Tigers the 1-0 advantage.
Ouachita controlled much of the offensive action throughout the match, outshooting the Crimson Storm 15-7, including a 6-2 advantage in shots on goal.
The Tigers established their offensive presence early, generating five shots in the opening 45 minutes while limiting Southern Nazarene to just two attempts.
Olivia Erskine and
McKenna Wright each put shots on target in the first half, but Crimson Storm goalkeeper Reagan Landers turned away both opportunities to keep the match scoreless heading into halftime.
Ouachita increased its offensive pressure following the break, recording 10 second-half shots.
Isabella Savattere created several scoring opportunities, forcing SNU's goalkeeper into saves.
That persistence paid off at the 74:22 mark when English capitalized on Smith's corner kick, putting Ouachita ahead with just over 15 minutes remaining.
Southern Nazarene attempted to respond in the closing minutes, but the Ouachita defense held firm to preserve the shutout. The Crimson Storm managed five shots in the second half, with goalkeeper
Dominique Klujian making two saves to keep the visitors off the scoreboard.
Klujian played all 90 minutes in goal for the Tigers, recording two saves and earning the shutout victory.
Offensively, Erskine, Wright and Savattere led Ouachita with three shots apiece, while Savattere placed two attempts on goal. Brown and
Raeleigh Pope each added two shots, and English provided the decisive goal on her lone attempt of the afternoon.
The Tigers are back in action against Northwestern Oklahoma State on Thursday, October 22 at 3 p.m. in Alva, Oklahoma.
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