ADA – The East Central University soccer team will start a five-match home stand this week, with the final two matches of the first-half of the Great American Conference season.  The Tigers will first face Ouachita Baptist, Thursday, Oct. 6 at 2 p.m. at Tiger Field.  ECU will also host Harding, Saturday, Oct. 8 at 11 a.m.

The Tigers are now 1-7-1 overall and 1-3 in the GAC after falling twice last week.  ECU saw goals from three different players, including sophomore Kendall Cook and junior Deanna Rudasill who each added an assist for each other.  Freshman Lizette Carreon added the final goal on a penalty shot, the first for the Tigers since 2015.

Ouachita is currently tied for second in the league standings, with a 3-5-1 overall record and a 3-1 mark in the GAC.  The other Tigers have had low scoring matches this season, with OBU scoring just six goals and their opponents nine.

Tessa Woodcock leads the team with two goals (one game-winning), while Byson Thomas has taken the most shots on goal (13).  Erin Webster has seen all the time in net for Ouachita, with 68 saves and three shutouts.

Harding is sitting at the top of GAC standings, with a 7-2 overall mark and a 4-0 league record.  The Bisons have outscored their opponents 23-9 on the season and have nine players with goals scored.

Bethany Sutherland leads the team with eight goals, two assists and 27 shots on goal.  Morgan Springborn adds four goals, two assists and 11 shots on goal.  Jessica Woessner has seen most of the time in goal, playing in eight games, allowing six goals and stopping 31 shots.

When playing Ouachita, the Tigers trail the all-time series 7-8 after dropping the last three matches.  However, ECU is 5-1 when playing at home.

Against Harding, the Tigers have an 8-6 lead in the series, but have lost the last five matches.  ECU still holds a slight 4-3 lead when playing in Ada, but trails 5-6 as GAC opponents.