WEATHERFORD, Okla. — The East Central University soccer team continued Great American Conference play Wednesday night, traveling to Southwestern Oklahoma State University for a road matchup. The Tigers battled throughout the contest but fell 3-0 to the Bulldogs.
Southwestern came out with pressure early, scoring in the eighth minute to take a 1-0 lead before adding another goal less than seven minutes later to extend the advantage to 2-0. ECU looked for a response as
Kaylie Gonzalez put a shot on goal, but the attempt was saved by the SWOSU goalkeeper.
Sophie Maldonado added another shot in the 28th minute, but it went wide of the goal. That would be ECU's final shot of the half as the Bulldogs continued to apply offensive pressure.
Alexandra Naill made three saves to keep SWOSU from adding to its lead, sending the Tigers into halftime trailing 2-0.
SWOSU continued to pressure the Tigers out of the break, recording 11 shots before ECU registered its first attempt of the second half. The Bulldogs added to their advantage in the 65th minute on a penalty kick, making it a 3-0 contest. ECU responded with a pair of chances from
Ava Jordan, with her first shot saved by the SWOSU goalkeeper.
Natalia Castaneda,
Aroa Pena and Gonzalez each added shots as the Tigers continued to look for an opening, but ECU was unable to find the back of the net.
SWOSU finished with a 32-9 advantage in shots and held a 13-5 edge in shots on goal. Naill recorded eight saves in the contest, while
Parker Frei added two saves in relief as the Tigers kept the Bulldogs off the scoreboard for the remainder of the match.
The Tigers will continue on the road as they now prepare to take on Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva on Saturday, Sep. 26 at 11 am.
