Box Score (html)
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A slow start ended in dismay for the Lady Bison as they fell 18-8 to Rockhurst on Saturday afternoon in Kansas City.
A poor showing in the clearing game allowed Rockhurst to jump out to a 13-3 lead over the first 30 minutes, despite Oklahoma Baptist leading 2-1 after the opening 10 minutes following a man-down goal by
Alexis Martin and an individual effort by
Emily Joslin. Oklahoma Baptist was successful on just two of their eight clear attempts across the entire first half.
The Lady Bison battled back in the second half, playing to a 5-5 tie after the interval.
Hannah Dowell's goal at the 27:25 mark sparked a three-goal run by the Lady Bison.
Emily Gilbert put away a free-position goal while on the extra-man opportunity, followed soon after by Martin's second of the game. Though Rockhurst would answer with four straight of their own, OBU scored the last two goals of the game thanks to free-position scores by Dowell and
Paige Morrison.
"We just didn't execute on the draw or clear and it hurt us," said OBU head coach
Jordan Beech. "Credit to Rockhurst, they played a very clean, technical game. This served as a great benchmark for us going forward not only with this season, but also as we prepare for the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference next year."
Dowell, Martin and Morrison each had two goals, while Joslin and Gilbert each chipped in with one apiece. It was the first time all season the Lady Bison have been held below the 10-goal mark.
For the first time all season, the Lady Bison lost the ground ball battle, 19-14, though
Allison Ingrim tied for a game-high three. Oklahoma Baptist also caused 14 turnovers, led by
Suzie Wisham with four. The Lady Bison also successfully killed two penalties.
Most tellingly, the Lady Bison were unable to control the draw, going 21-7 on restarts throughout the course of the game. Martin led the team with three.
Oklahoma Baptist takes a week off before heading to Colorado for three games in the span of five days. Up first for OBU is Colorado Mesa at 12 p.m. in Grand Junction on Monday, March 14.
