OKLAHOMA CITY (Sept. 16, 2021) – The sun setting was not the only cause of the golden hour at the Eagle Soccer Field on Saturday. Oklahoma Christian redefined the meaning of the term "golden hour" in its 2-1 overtime win over Texas-Tyler.
In a golden-goal situation, OC freshman
Gracie Cornelius struck the ball in stride from 30 yards out, placing the ball perfectly between the top crossbar and the outstretched hands of Texas-Tyler's goalkeeper, junior Camri Cecil. As soon as the ball hit the back of the net, OC coach
Evan Dresel and every Eagle near the field sprinted toward Cornelius screaming with joy. Dresel's smile as he sprinted out on the field will be a sight OC fans will not soon forget.
With the goal from "Golden Gracie" in the 98th minute, OC (1-3-1, 1-0-1 Lone Star Conference) defeated Texas-Tyler (3-2, 1-1), giving the Eagles their first win of the 2021 season and Dresel's first as the Eagles' head coach.
Before Saturday, the Eagles had just one win in four matchups with the Patriots. The previous two meetings between the teams ended with the Patriots winning 3-0 each time.
The Eagles' defense, anchored by sophomore
Brooklyn Fink and sophomore
Jordan Freidenbloom, had another strong performance, but their offensive showed brightest on the pitch against Texas-Tyler. For the first time in this season, the Eagles found themselves in control for 84 minutes of action, after scoring first in the 19th minute of play.
Coming into this match, Dresel said he wanted to see more offensive opportunities for the Eagles and he got an answer in a somewhat unusual manner with the first goal from Fink.
Fink, a center back for the Eagles, ran up to throw the ball in the Eagles' attacking half of the field, which is a common occurrence for her as her throws can travel around 20 yards. On this play, Fink threw the ball into the middle of the 6-yard box. The ball took a big bounce and was tipped by Cecil into the net. If Cecil had missed the ball, the goal would have been called back, but instead the call went in the Eagles' direction.
The Eagles maintained the 1-0 lead the rest of the first half. Then, after halftime, they set up in a defensive-minded formation to maintain the lead and attack only in needed spurts. This approach paid off until the Eagles gave up a corner kick (the Patriots had 10 in the match) late in the second half. The corner kick was received in the penalty box and kicked around by multiple Texas-Tyler players before senior Priscilla Rincon found the back of the net in the 84th minute. The Patriots outshot OC 18-9.
Regulation time expired and the Eagles entered overtime for the second time this season, the first being Wednesday night at Lubbock Christian (Texas) and Cornelius' goal ended it in golden fashion.
Fink's goal was her third collegiate goal, with her first two coming when she played for Dresel at Mid-America Christian. Cornelius also recorded her third collegiate goal. On the other side of the field, OC sophomore goalkeeper
Gabby Goddard recorded another stellar performance in the net, finishing with seven saves. Cecil made two saves for Texas-Tyler.
The two goals by the Eagles were the most goals scored in a match by them this season and the most ever scored by the Eagles against Texas-Tyler.
The Eagles will travel to Denton, Texas, for their next Lone Star Conference match, against Texas Woman's University on Wednesday at 7 p.m.
Evan Dresel discusses the game:
https://youtu.be/VrBNJOXvVq8
