Box Score OKLAHOMA CITY (Oct. 1, 2015) – For the better part of 70 minutes on Thursday, Oklahoma Christian and No. 8 St. Edward's (Texas) weren't separated by much. Then the Hilltoppers showed how they've earned that high NCAA Division II national ranking.
St. Edward's broke open a tight contest with three goals in a seven-minute span late in the second half, pulling away for a 4-0 win over a game OC squad at the Eagle Soccer Field.
OC (6-3, 0-1 Heartland Conference), ranked sixth in the Division II South Central Region, had its four-game winning streak snapped, but the Eagles hung with St. Edward's (6-0-2, 1-0) much of the way. The Hilltoppers – who have allowed only one goal all season – outshot OC only 19-17 and needed eight saves by goalkeeper Kevin Leib to keep the Eagles at bay.
OC goalkeeper
Evan Helker, the reigning Heartland defensive player of the week, made six saves of his own to keep his team close against a foe that hasn't lost a Heartland Conference game since the 2013 season.
St. Edward's, which had scored 22 goals in its previous three games and was ranked second regionally, didn't break through against OC until the 21st minute. Josh Taylor's short corner kick went to Grant Mobley, who touched it through to Kyle Pujats. Pujats slid the ball past Helker to put the Hilltoppers up 1-0.
The Eagles' best chance to score came about six minutes later, when
Troy Tippeconnic sent a long pass into
Cody Cook, who had charged into the penalty box to take a shot. Leib was able to make the save, though.
It remained anyone's game until the 72nd minute, when Haiden Stiles fed Adam Bonville, whose 12-yard shot went in to put St. Edward's up 2-0. Less than a minute later, Helker was unable to secure a loose ball and Stiles took advantage, knocking it home to make it 3-0.
In the 79th minute, Dylan Armstrong dribbled down the right side of the field, cut into the box and beat Helker from about eight yards out.
OC will return to action Saturday at noon, when the Eagles will host Heartland rival Dallas Baptist (Texas).
