OKLAHOMA CITY – The East Central University soccer team hit the road Wednesday night for a nonconference matchup against Oklahoma Christian University, ultimately falling 3-1 at Eagle Soccer Field.
 
OCU struck first, scoring once in the opening half and adding two more goals in the second before ECU broke through with its first goal of the match.
 
The Eagles came out aggressive, registering four shots and earning a corner kick in the first eight minutes of the game. ECU responded with opportunities of their own in the 10th and 20th minutes, as Ximena Resendiz and Reece Roberson both fired on goal, but their shots were stopped by the Eagle keeper. OCU eventually broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute with a goal to take a 1-0 lead. Despite three more shots before halftime, ECU goalkeeper Madison Mayhall held firm to keep the deficit at one going into the break.
 
OCU maintained the pressure in the second half, outshooting the Tigers 14-3. The Eagles doubled their lead just three minutes into the half with a goal in the 48th minute, then extended it further with another strike at the 62:18 mark to take a commanding 3-0 advantage. Emily Green had a look for ECU but missed just wide.
 
The Tigers finally found the back of the net in the 75th minute when Lauren Mora sent a perfectly placed shot into the top right corner, just out of the reach of the OCU keeper. It marked ECU's first goal of the game, and the season, avoiding a shutout.
 
In goal, Mayhall was kept busy, making nine saves in her 66:42 of action, while Dylan LaMonica added another save during the final 23:18.
 
ECU will now turn its focus to its next road matchup against St. Mary's University on Saturday, Sept. 13, at 1 p.m. in San Antonio, Texas.