Box Score OKLAHOMA CIT Y (Sept. 25, 2014) – Oklahoma Christian didn't lack for scoring opportunities on Thursday night against Newman (Kan.), but the Lady Eagles couldn't quite break through for a goal.

Newman, however, caught a fortunate bounce in the first half that resulted in a goal by Maricela Ruvalcaba, which the Jets rode to a 1-0 win at the Eagle Soccer Field.

Newman (4-2-1) and OC (0-7-1) both are Heartland Conference members, but the game was a nonconference contest. The teams will meet again in league play on Oct. 25 in Wichita, Kan.

The Jets outshot OC 17-7, but the Lady Eagles had three great chances in the final 25 minutes – two on free kicks from 20 yards out and another during a wild scramble in front of the goal in the 88th minute, during which all OC could manage was a shot from just outside the box by Gigi Gonzalez.

"We're really proud of the girls because they worked for everything that they got tonight," OC coach Randall Robison said. "I thought we applied our system better than maybe we have in any game. Newman played a really good game. Both teams battled all 90 minutes. From a fan's standpoint, I thought it was a real entertaining game to watch.

"I was real proud of our girls because of how well they played, but from that, you'd hope that you could get something from it. Obviously, we didn't get a goal or didn't get a result, but hopefully they can kind of build on it, because it was maybe the best that we've seen them play all year so far."

OC's Courtney Nixon had the game's first good scoring chance, but was forced to take a well-defended shot from about 10 yards out and her attempt went wide.

The game's only goal came in the 33rd minute. OC goalkeeper Lindsey Williams was able to block a shot by Newman's Mei-Mei Senthavy, but the rebound went to Ruvalcaba and the reigning Heartland offensive player of the week put the ball in the back of the net.

Williams, who had five saves, made a couple of spectacular stops in the second half, one on a 25-yard free kick by Newman's Daniela Nieto.

Newman goalkeeper Kayleigh Renfro also had five saves, keeping her team in the lead. She also was the beneficiary of some good fortune in the 87th minute, as Devon Palluth's header off a free kick by Madeline Roseke sailed just over the crossbar, denying OC an equalizer.

"I thought we were unfortunate with the goal that we gave up tonight," Robison said. "Newman did a great job by pressuring the goal but a couple of lucky bounces that go an inch the other way and we get the ball cleared easily and we may be very easily looking at a 0-0 tie. But we tell our girls all the time that luck won't fall your way unless you put yourself in that position."

OC will be off until next Tuesday, when the Lady Eagles visit Texas Woman's.