Box Score OKLAHOMA CITY (Oct. 3, 2019) – Natalie Thomas scored her first career goal to pull Oklahoma Christian even midway through the first half, but St. Edward's (Texas) eventually pulled away for a 4-1 win over the Eagles on Thursday night at the Eagle Soccer Field.

St. Edward's, long a NCAA Division II power, outshot OC 30-8 but didn't put the game away until midway through the second half as the Eagles consistently produced offensive threats of their own and rode a strong defensive performance by freshman Gabby Goddard, who recorded 13 saves, far and away the most in a game this season by any Lone Star Conference goalkeeper.

Sarah Gunderson gave St. Edward's (4-4, 3-0 LSC) the lead in the 16th minute, slotting home a corner kick from Elianna Chavez the Eagles failed to clear.

But OC (0-8, 0-3) quickly answered in the 19th minute, taking advantage of a defensive lapse by the Hilltoppers. Goalkeeper Annabel Sweeney came out to challenge Thomas, but failed to gain possession, allowing Thomas to get back to the loose ball before Sweeney could make it back to her goal. Thomas converted a shot from about six yards out to tie the game. It was only OC's third goal ever in Division II play against St. Edward's and the first since 2016.

The euphoria for the Eagles didn't last long. A determined Chavez drove strong toward the goal in the 22nd minute and her left-to-right blast from about 10 yards out put the Hilltoppers back ahead. In the 38th minute, Ashley Wilson put St. Edward's up 3-1 with an unassisted goal.

Going into a strong north wind, the Hilltoppers' offense wasn't as potent in the second half, but they sealed the win in the 67th minute, when India Wentz scored off a free kick by Sarah Preston.

Sweeney finished with three saves for St. Edward's as six OC players – Thomas, Oby Okeke, Brianna Concienne, Carson Hazel, Corina Marin and Ariya Regnier – recorded at least one shot.

OC will host another LSC foe, Angelo State (Texas), on Saturday. The game time is currently set for 1 p.m. but could be moved up due to weather concerns, OC coach Meagan Anderson said.

Video of Natalie Thomas' goal: https://youtu.be/98fEVM3O9yo