Lacrosse Looks to Get Back on Track Wednesday

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Oklahoma Baptist (3-3) and Fort Lewis College (3-2) Wednesday, March 16, 3 p.m. Durango, Colo. (Ray Dennison Memorial Field) Live Stats Game Notes

SHAWNEE, Okla. – Following back-to-back losses for the first time this season, Oklahoma Baptist will look to get back to fine form when they take on Fort Lewis College on Wednesday in Durango, Colorado, at 3 p.m. This is the second of three games in five days, and is the fourth of seven straight road games for the Lady Bison.
 
Oklahoma Baptist (3-3) have struggled on both sides of the ball the last two games, averaging just six goals per contest against their future Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference foes. Despite that, Alexis Martin has continued her goal-scoring tear, averaging 3.8 goals per game and has yet to be held below two goals scored in each contest. Defensively, Allison Ingrim continues to be an impact on the ground, gobbling up 3.8 ground balls per game. Paige Morrison and Ingrim have also combined for 25 caused turnovers.
 
Fort Lewis College (3-2) have won just one of their last three games, an 11-3 triumph over a shared opponent, Rockhurst. Ellie Carpenter has been enjoying an efficient year for the Skyhawks, scoring 17 times on 26 shots, though the overall offense has averaged just 10 goals per contest. A strong defensive showing has helped the Skyhawks stay in games, allowing just 7.8 goals per game.
 
The Lady Bison conclude their tour of Colorado with a game against Colorado State – Pueblo on Friday, March 18 at 4 p.m. in Pueblo.
 
GAME NOTES
 
Setting the Scene
- Looking to win their first game in three tries, Oklahoma Baptist heads to Durango, Colorado, for a 3 p.m. game against Fort Lewis College
- OBU's offense has sputtered the last two games, scoring just 12 goals, and they will look to jumpstart their usual offensive potency against the Skyhawks
- Wednesday's meeting will serve as the home opener for FLC
 
Scouting the Skyhawks
Current Record: 3-2
- The Skyhawks currently sit at 3-2, but dropped a 14-6 affair to Lock Haven last Friday. Fort Lewis has only won one of their last three games, an 11-3 victory over Rockhurst
- Through five games, FLC is averaging 10 goals per game, though they are holding opponents to just 7.8 goals per contest
- Ellie Carpenter is the heavy hitter on the team, accounting for 17 goals on 26 shots. Jam Vertner is second on the squad with eight goals
- Fort Lewis has assisted on 34 percent of their goals this season, led by Marissa DiCecco with five
- Opponents have struggled on free positions, converting at just a .312 (5-16) clip
- Alyssa Spencer has started all five games for the Skyhawks and boasts a 7.65 goals-against average and a .438 save percentage
 
The Coaches
Oklahoma Baptist: Jordan Beech
- Jordan Beech took over as the fourth coach in program history in December 2015
- Beech played collegiately for Oklahoma State and the University of Oklahoma in the Men's Collegiate Lacrosse Association, featuring as a defensive midfielder
- Developing the sport from the grassroots levels, helped to form the first boys' high school program in Oklahoma in 2006
- Prior to taking over at OBU, Beech made coaching stops at Deer Creek Lacrosse Club and Edmond Lacrosse Club and holds a Level 2 coaching certificate through US Lacrosse
 
Fort Lewis College: Julia Decker
- Julia Decker is in her second season in charge at Fort Lewis College, having led the Skyhawks to a 9-5 record last season
- Directed FLC to the semifinals of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament in her first season
- Placed eight on the All-RMAC squad in her first season, including two first-team selections
- Currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association
- Has made previous coaching stops at California State - Fresno, Hilbert College and the State University of New York at Geneseo
 
Slow Start Dooms Lady Bison
- OBU gave up four goals in the first four minutes, and 16 goals in the first half, against Colorado Mesa. The final score ended 22-4 to the hosts from Grand Junction, Colo.
- Alexis Martin accounted for half of OBU's goals. Savannah Tompkins and Hannah Dowell each scored one goal. Paige Morrison assisted on Martin's second goal
- OBU won the ground ball battle 11-9, paced by Allison Ingrim with three. Emily Bontekoe and Morrison each had two
- The Lady Bison were outdrawn 20-8, though Dowell and Ingrim each had a game-high three draw controls
 
Lady Bison Offensive Notes
- Oklahoma Baptist's offense has struggled on the road, averaging just eight goals per contest away from the OBU Lacrosse Complex. At home, the Lady Bison have averaged 15.3 goals per game
- Martin has scored at least two goals in every game she's played this season, and leads the team with 19 goals while holding a team-best shooting percentage of .559
- Dowell (18) and Morrison (16) are the only two Lady Bison with double figures in goals
- Though the Lady Bison have earned 36 free-position attempts, they have converted at just a .389 rate. Paige Morrison leads the team with six free-position goals on 14 attempts
- Tompkins' second-half goal on Monday was the second of her career
- With her assist on Martin's second goal, Morrison has become OBU's all-time leader in points with 79 to her credit on 65 goals and 14 assists
- The Lady Bison continue to struggle at the circle, holding a -33 margin in draw controls this season. They've won just 26.8 percent of draws over the last two games (15 of 56)
 
Lady Bison Defensive Notes
- The OBU defense has averaged 20 goals against the last two games, including a season-high 22 against Colorado Mesa
- Oklahoma Baptist has allowed 20 or more goals in seven games in program history. The 22 goals allowed to the Mavericks are the most since a playoff loss last year to Georgetown (23)
- Normally solid on the clear, the Lady Bison have a clear rate of .536 in their last two games. Over the first four games, OBU held a .815 clear percentage
- Opponents are converting shot at a .543 clip, averaging 11.67 goals per game while only averaging 21.5 shots
- OBU continues to do well on ground ball situations, averaging 25.8 ground balls per game. Ingrim leads the way with 23, and Dowell and Tompkins are second on the team with 15 apiece
- The defense has caused 73 turnovers this season for an average of 12.2 per game. Morrison leads the team with 13, while Ingrim (12) and Suzie Wisham (10) have also reached double figures
- With three ground balls against Colorado Mesa, Ingrim moves into the top four in program history in the category with 82 to her name
 
Looking Ahead
- OBU concludes their Spring Break trip with a game against Colorado State - Pueblo at 4 p.m. in Pueblo, Colo.