Rachel Bates' first-half goal held up as OC beat Rogers State 1-0 on Tuesday.
CLAREMORE, Okla. (Oct. 11, 2011) – Rachel Bates scored on a first-half header and goalkeeper Kaitlyn Whitten made it stand up by making a career-high 13 saves, leading Oklahoma Christian to a 1-0 win Tuesday over Rogers State at Soldier Field.
OC (4-7-1, 1-3-1 Sooner Athletic Conference) posted its second road win of the season and snapped a 12-game winless streak against conference foes. Before Tuesday, OC's last win against an SAC team came Oct. 7, 2010, when the Lady Eagles beat Wayland Baptist 4-1.
Rogers State (5-5-2, 2-3) lost its fourth straight game. The Hillcats outshot OC 20-6 but the Lady Eagles' defense held strong.
"That was a complete game from our players," OC head coach Randall Robison said. "We stuck to a game plan and battled all game. Rogers State is a good team with a number of players who can cause problems for anyone.
"Our back line played a solid game and eliminated the individual mistakes that have hurt us."
In the 33rd minute, Taylor Cofer's cross found Bates near the back post, and Bates headed it past Rogers State goalkeeper Chelsea McMullin to record her second goal of the season.
Whitten, in the best game of her young career, made several point-blank saves, including one in the final two minutes when Devon Bullard broke free in the penalty box and fired a shot from about 15 yards out.
McMullin had three saves for the Hillcats.
The Lady Eagles will play five of their final six games of the regular season at home, starting with a Saturday match against SAC rival John Brown.
