OKLAHOMA CITY (Oct. 16, 2021) – Two goals in the first 15 minutes of action at Eagle Soccer Field proved to be the summation of scoring between Oklahoma Christian and St. Mary's (Texas) on Saturday afternoon.
 
OC (2-5-4, 2-2-4 Lone Star Conference) fell behind early to St. Mary's (6-4-2, 3-2-2) when senior Megan Copeland struck a corner kick, which rolled into the goalie box and across the goal line. Although it was debated if it crossed the line, the goal was awarded to the Rattlers, giving them the first point on the board.
 
Just about eight minutes of action passed between the Rattlers' goal and the Eagles' response. In the 14th minute, OC sophomore goalkeeper Gabby Goddard struck a goal kick to the half line, where the ball bounced high and was first controlled by sophomore Carson Hazel. Hazel sent a pass to freshman Gracie Cornelius, who one-touched the ball to freshman Perla Beltran. Then, senior Thalia Delgado timed her run from the left toward the center of the field, in perfect time for Beltran to hit the ball in Delgado's stride. As the Rattlers' freshman goalkeeper, Rebecca Difronzo, sprinted out to challenge the ball, Delgado struck the ball perfectly past Difronzo.
 
"It was our best possession of the whole season," OC coach Evan Dresel said. "We were attacking. We were making good touches. Thalia (Delgado) timed her run perfectly and had a great finish."
 
Delgado's goal marked her first goal of the 2021 season and put the Eagles in position to earn a positive result against a solid LSC opponent in St. Mary's.
 
The Eagles' defense held strong throughout the remaining minutes of regulation time, not allowing another goal. When the buzzer sounded, signaling the end of regulation, the Eagles entered their fifth overtime match of the season. Five overtime matches in a single season ties a program record for the OC women's soccer, set during the 2003 season.
 
In two 10-minute overtime periods, the Eagles had three looks at the goal but were unable to connect; however, they did not concede a goal. They maintained a positive record in overtimes, improving to 1-0-4. The result against St. Mary's broke a three-match losing streak for the Eagles against the Rattlers.
 
Across 110 minutes of action, the Eagles recorded 14 shots, eight of them on frame, compared to 20 for St. Mary's. Delgado led the offensive attack for OC with three shots on goal and freshman Kyla Lovelace followed with two shots on goal.
 
Sophomore Gabby Goddard recorded five saves, while Difronzo had seven.
 
"I think we're going to set a record for time played in the season," Dresel said. "I am very happy. We were going to get the win and we had some great chances. It's a point, so I am definitely happy with the effort."

With the draw, OC is tied with Texas A&M-Commerce for ninth place in the LSC with 10 standings points, one point behind St. Mary's and two behind Midwestern State (Texas) and West Texas A&M. The top seven teams at the end of the regular season will advance to the conference postseason tournament.
 
OC will have a week of rest and preparation before they continue LSC action on the road next Saturday, with a game at Texas A&M International (2-10-1, 1-6-1) in Laredo, Texas.