ARKADELPHIA, Ark.– Northwestern Oklahoma State University Rangers finished their road schedule early Saturday afternoon against Ouachita Baptist Tigers. NWOSU would however fall 2-1 in regulation.
"Really proud of how we responded to the adversity and defeat from Thursday night" Head Coach
Erik Solberg on today's performance. "We came out and played some really good soccer today. Obviously disappointed not to get the result of at least a point today for as hard as we played."
Both the Rangers and the Tigers came out firing with multiple scoring opportunities in the early going of the game. After the start the Tigers found some control of the game with six consecutive shots of their own. The Rangers defense would prevail as they would stop every attack that Ouachita would throw at them.
Ouachita controlled much of the half out shooting the Rangers 12-6 and 7-5 on goal.
Reyna Gonzalez saved all seven shots on goal she faced. As would the Tiger goaltender Erin Webster stopping all five, she would face.
The Rangers and Tigers would go into the break all tied up at zero.
Ouachita would gain early control to start the second half starting with maintaining possession and getting a few scoring chances. However, they could never capitalize on any chance they could have as the defense escaped each time.
This defensive stand quickly gave NWOSU some momentum as it led an attack for
Whitney Blanchard to capitalize on a scoring chance with a goal assisted by
Hollie Pankake giving the Rangers a 1-0 lead during the 60th minute of the game.
After Northwestern's goal Ouachita changed the momentum rapidly as they gained control of possession for a while and would finally capitalize as they would get the equalizer from Alyssa Hardin at 70:37 in the game.
Tigers would hold onto that momentum as they would continue to add pressure, but could not score for a few minutes, until they finally took advantage of a scoring opportunity. At the 82:23 mark the Tigers would take their first lead of the contest 2-1.
"Getting the lead there with 20 minutes to go, hate to give up the two goals to lose the game" Solberg stated. "However, really proud of them of how we responded to adversity from Thursday Night. It was some of our best soccer this season truthfully, some of the soccer we played was really exquisite."
This would end up being the difference in the game as 2-1 would be the final score in the Tigers favor. The Rangers had two shot leaders in
Yazmin Gomez and
Makayla Barrientos each having three shots.
Reyna Gonzalez would finish with making 13 saves of the 15 she faced in the game.
With this loss the Rangers fall to 6-9-1 on the year and 3-6-1 in conference play.
Northwestern will return home for the final two games of the season on Thursday November 7th and Saturday November 9th.
"I was pleased how the ladies responded and showed their true character" Solberg on finishing the year at home. "Excited to have the chance to finish the year back home. We have had a great year as a team and have accomplished a lot. Looking forward to adding to that list with two games at home."
