OKLAHOMA CITY (Sept. 8, 2021) – There's a short phrase Oklahoma Christian women's soccer coach Evan Dresel wants at the forefront of his players' minds as they approach the start of the 2021 season.

It's posted in the locker room and on the back of the shirts for the players. "One Day; One Lifetime" could have many meanings, all of which Dresel believes should motivate the athletes.
 
"Could mean live the day like it's your last," Dresel said. "Sometimes something happens in one day that you have been working your whole life for. I am trying to talk to them about making every day count and not wasting a day. Make it count."
 
Making every day and every moment count will be critical for the Eagles as they look to rewrite the story for the OC program. As the Eagles prepare to open their season Thursday at crosstown rival Central Oklahoma, Dresel, in his first year at OC, said he wants to work on changing mindsets during this season, which he believes will transfer into positive results on the field.
 
"Going in, we were going to develop the culture of hard work," Dresel said. "This year, I am so focused on developing the foundation of the team and the program."
 
Dresel, no stranger to building strong programs, left a successful program across town at Mid-America Christian, one that won four National Christian College Athletic Association region titles during his tenure. MACU went 15-3 last season, recording the most wins for the program since joining the NAIA in 2008. He was named as the Sooner Athletic Conference and NCCAA Central Region coach of the year.
 
Dresel said leaving MACU was a tough decision, but he saw the opportunity to strike gold at OC.
 
"The program represents mining for gold to me," Dresel said. "It's there; someone just has to go and put in the work to get it out."
 
Dresel said the Eagles have put in the hard work during the preseason and "striking gold" will be a total team effort this season.
 
The team will be anchored in the back by two strong forces in the goal, what Dresel refers to as an "amazing core of keepers." Sophomore Gabby Goddard returns this season after finishing second in saves in NCAA Division II during the spring 2021 season. Goddard plays steady in the back and uses her overall athleticism to make incredible saves for the Eagles, keeping them within striking distance in most matches. Freshman Ashlee Jackson rounds out the core group for the Eagles in the goal. Jackson, who saw some action in closing games last year, often takes positive risks in the net.
 
While there's no question Goddard and Jackson can put together beautiful highlight reels of saves, Dresel hopes the goalkeepers will face less of a barrage of shots with the development of a strong back line.

Returning as the lone 2020-21 All-Lone Star Conference selection from OC, freshman Reagan Keiser – who defends the ball with quickness – will lead the Eagles' backline in the center along with experienced sophomore Jordan Freindenbloom, whose strength keeps opposing forwards from the Eagles' net. A new addition to the Eagles' backline, but no stranger to winning, is two-time Sooner Athletic Conference defender of the year Brooklyn Fink, a transfer from MACU who brings an aggressive style of play.
 
The Eagles boast a lot of wisdom in the center back position with juniors Naomi Reagan and Sarah Albert, and Albert could also see some time in a forward position.
 
Dresel will look to push his outside backs into midfield attacking positions if possible, allowing the backs to widen the field and push the pace. Senior Thalia Delgado will be the main attacker on the left and on the right it will be freshman Katie McCullock, as the Eagles flexed in preseason scrimmages. Joining them in the back will be sophomore Morgan Berres and freshman Avery Rees. 
 
The Eagles also possess more creativity at the midfield position this season, according to Dresel, specifically in first-year freshman Perla Beltran. Sophomore Ellise Foreman, an extremely technically sound player, will see more time in a defensive midfield position and will join Beltran in the middle.
 
As midfield requires the most movement across the field, the Eagles' deep bench should allow the opportunity to mount creative, different attacks, with new legs if needed.
 
Freshman Gracie Cornelius returns this season with two collegiate goals on her resume. Junior Cameryn Covington and senior Marcela Dantas both bring solid experience and good field vision, and increase the pace of play in the middle. Also returning this season, freshman Jenna White, who recorded five shots last season, will use her speed to make an immediate difference, and sophomore Isabel Brazil, coming off injury, could find the field later in the season.

Four freshmen, Zoe Wilson, Jillian Duncan, Hannah Covert, and Makayla Jordan had notable high school careers and also could make an impact in this turnaround season.
 
The Eagles, who scored just nine goals in the spring 2021 season, boast a high-powered offensive line who can take increase that number this season. Goals will come from other pieces as well, but the Eagles' forwards possess the skills to find the back of the net and take advantage of each opportunity they have at goal, Dresel said.
 
Junior Caprice King, formerly an outside back, will use her length and size to break down defenses. Sophomore Carson Hazel brings a lot of firepower, with three assists and two goals in her career. Freshmen Kyla Lovelace and Elena Hellinger both hit the ground running in preseason and have the ability to notch their first collegiate goals early on. Senior Catharina Ribeiro, junior Ana Carolina Ferreira and sophomores Emily Brackett and Savanna Suttles all return with collegiate playing time from last season.
 
"I could just name everyone and keep going down the list," Dresel said. "They are all hard-working and want to be pushed."
 
The Eagles will open the season with four nonconference games, against UCO, Washburn (Kan.) and a pair of Oklahoma schools, Southwestern Oklahoma State and Northwestern Oklahoma State.
 
After the game against Northwestern Oklahoma State, the Eagles will begin Lone Star Conference play.
 
"How am I going to grade the season? The heartbeat of the team at the end of the season and in the attitude of the players," Dresel said. "At the end of the season are we going to be like – this will propel us into the next season? Or are we going to feel like we still have a long way to go? I am predicting at the end of the year we are going to feel like next season will be a breakout season."