BETHANY, Okla. – East Central University soccer battled Southern Nazarene University under the lights Wednesday night at the Wanda Rhodes Soccer Complex, but the Crimson Storm held on for a narrow 1-0 victory in Great American Conference action.
Southern Nazarene took a 1-0 lead in the 16th minute after opening the match with early pressure. ECU created several opportunities of its own, with
Natalia Castaneda recording multiple shots and
Kaylie Gonzalez and
Estrella Hernandez each attempting a shot.
Madison Martinez also put a shot on target in the 26th minute, but it was saved by the SNU goalkeeper.
Parker Frei made two saves in the first half to keep the Tigers within one goal heading into the break.
ECU came out of halftime looking to even the score and took control offensively, outshooting Southern Nazarene 11-2 in the second half.
Kaylie Gonzalez recorded an early attempt before the Tigers continued building pressure through shots from
Emily Cavazos and
Madison Martinez, whose attempt in the 69th minute was saved by the SNU goalkeeper.
ECU also generated five second-half corner kicks as the Tigers searched for an equalizer. Gonzalez came close in the 81st minute, striking the crossbar, while
Estrella Hernandez and Cavazos added late attempts. Despite the sustained pressure and several opportunities down the stretch, the Tigers were unable to find the back of the net as Southern Nazarene held on for the 1-0 win.
The Tigers will look to carry their second-half momentum into their next matchup as they return to Ada for a Saturday matchup against Oklahoma Baptist University at 11 am.
