ALVA, OKLA. – After being forced to start the match late due to transportation issues, the East Central University soccer team claimed a 4-1 win at Northwestern Oklahoma State in the first Great American Conference match of the 2016 season.

The Tigers (1-4-1, 1-0 GAC) were led by junior Deanna Rudasill and senior Lexie DeVore, who each tallied two goals.  ECU also saw two saves from sophomore Chloe Hull in 63 minutes of action.  Senior Lexi Hurley played the final 27 minutes, seeing her first action of the year.

The Tigers were in control for the majority of the match, recording eight shots on goal and allowing just three, while earning a 16-9 lead in shots.

ECU wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, as Rudasill tallied her first goal of the season and match just 50 seconds in on a shot from 40-yards out.

The Rangers (0-6, 0-1 GAC) tied the game at the 19:44 mark, with a goal from Yazmin Gomez.

The Tigers took the lead again just before the end of the first half, on a goal from DeVore.  She finished the play after Rudasill sent in a cross to freshman Kristen Yancy who headed the ball into the box for DeVore at 41:03.

Within the first four minutes of the second half, ECU added to the lead (48:26), with DeVore adding her second goal for the day from 30-yards out.

The Tigers continued to increase the pressure, with Rudasill adding her second goal of the night at 67:51, with an assist from senior Kylee Corbin.

The Tigers will wrap up a four-match road trip, Sunday, Sept. 25 at 1 p.m. when they travel to face rival Southwestern Oklahoma State in Weatherford, Okla.