Box Score BETHANY, Okla. (Sept. 15, 2015) – Oklahoma Christian women's soccer coach
Randall Robison was confident his team's breakthrough win would come, and sure enough, it happened Tuesday night at the expense of one of the Lady Eagles' biggest rivals.
Freshman Rubi Villegas Aguilar scored in the 71st and 81st minute as the Lady Eagles traveled to Southern Nazarene and beat the Crimson Storm 2-0 at the Wanda Rhodes Soccer Complex, fueled by a solid group of OC fans who also made the trip.
OC (1-1-1) recorded its first win over SNU (2-2) since the 2006 season. Robison had been 0-5-1 against the Storm before Tuesday. It also was the Lady Eagles' first road win since beating Texas-Permian Basin 3-0 on Nov. 2, 2013.
For a team looking for a reset after five straight single-digit-win seasons, it was a night to celebrate.
"That's a great win for our team," Robison said. "They have worked so very hard to be a different team than our last few seasons. Tonight was a great reward for the months of hard work these girls have put in to change the face of this program.
"It truly was a team effort tonight. Every girl on the field competed from the opening minute to the final whistle. Our defense was solid and very smart. I felt like we won the midfield battle all game. Our wings and forwards were dangerous through most of the game."
Defensively, the Lady Eagles were solid, even as SNU outshot them 19-12. OC freshman goalkeeper
Carina Schanz posted her first collegiate shutout, making five saves.
Schanz also recorded an assist on OC's first goal. Her long kick found the foot of Villegas Aguilar, who poked a shot from about 25 yards out past SNU goalkeeper Natasha Fuentes. Another freshman, defender
Karolina Srutkova, assisted on Villegas Aguilar's second goal that sealed the win.
SNU's best scoring opportunity came in the 22nd minute, when a shot by Kelsi Bussert hit the crossbar. Fuentes recorded five saves for the Crimson Storm.
Robison praised the OC fans at the game, saying their support helped carry the Lady Eagles.
"The fan support tonight was tremendous and certainly contributed to the intensity from our girls," he said. "I can't wait to hear them again Thursday night!"
OC will host Southwestern Oklahoma State on Thursday at 7 p.m.