ADA, Okla. – Northwestern Oklahoma State women's soccer got back on track Monday, beating the East Central University Tigers 3-2 to kick off a three-game road trip. Karla Lopez, Audrey Salas and Calvonis Prentice each scored for the red-and-black and goalkeeper Kiara Fontanilla got the win in relief of starter Reagan Allen.
The Tigers jumped out to an early advantage 12 minutes into the match when a pass from Alexis Castillo sprung Summer Whalen for a breakaway goal. Northwestern managed seven shots towards the ECU net, but headed into halftime facing a 1-0 deficit.
"Our effort in the first half wasn't where it needed to be" said head coach James Ross. "ECU outworked us early, but we made our adjustments and the girls responded well in the second half."
Northwestern finally broke through and tied the match in the 55th minute when Lopez drove home a rebound from in tight to make it 1-1. The goal was her first of the season and eighth of her Ranger career.
But the Rangers weren't done there.
After Prentice was taken down hard in the box, the Rangers were awarded their second penalty kick of the season. Salas, the 5'4 senior, was called upon to take the PK and made no mistake, beating ECU keeper Chloe Hull for her second tally in three games to give Northwestern its first lead of the match.
The Tigers didn't go down without a fight. Less than four minutes after the Rangers went ahead, East Central answered with a strike from a sharp angle and tied the game at two goals apiece, when Morgan Medina caught Fontanilla off guard.
The two teams would trade scoring chances midway through the second half until Northwestern delivered the decisive blow with 10:46 to play in the contest. Priscilla Villalobos juked her way past a defender near the goal line before finding Prentice with a pass out front. The Californian's shot was partially blocked but ricocheted off an ECU defender before sailing over the head of Hull and into the back of the net.
"For the last week, I thought we were the better team, but we haven't been able to finish" added Ross after the win. "Tonight, the girls worked hard, communicated with each other and competed, and that's all I ask for. If we continue to do that, we'll be in every game."
With the victory, Northwestern sweeps the season series with East Central, having won their first matchup 2-0 at the Alva Rec Complex back on September 20. The Rangers will now set their sights on Southern Nazarene (3-13, 2-8 GAC), a team that shares the fifth spot in the Great American Conference with Northwestern. First touch Thursday, October 25 is set for 6 p.m. in Bethany, Oklahoma.
For the latest news and updates on Ranger Soccer, follow @NWOSUAthletics on TWITTER or visit www.RIDERANGERSRIDE.com
