WEATHERFORD, Okla. – Southwestern Oklahoma State defeated Oklahoma Baptist 2-0 on Saturday in the Great American Conference Tournament Final at the SWOSU Athletic Complex.
The Bulldogs improved to 9-4-7 and clinched the GAC's automatic berth into next week's NCAA Division II Tournament while the Bison finalized their 2022 record at 7-9-4.
On this day, SWOSU out-shot the Bison 28-11 and got a goal in each half to claim the title for the first time since 2019.
Just a little over four minutes into the match, a foul was called against the green and gold and resulted in a penalty kick. Bulldogs' midfielder Sola Tsuruta then finished the PK, giving the hosts a 1-0 lead.
Over the remainder of the half, Bison goalie
Mia Pendleton kept the score at 1-0 as she denied four more on-target looks from SWOSU. On the other side, the Bison's
Katie Fowler and
Alanna Bloomingdale each shot on Bulldogs goalie Ashley Hughes, but both of their attempts were stopped.
Then in the last 50 seconds, freshman
Duschka Diaz's attempt hit the crossbar, signaling OBU's last solid chance in the opening stanza.
Second-half action brought a couple more opportunities for OBU to equalize the scoreboard. However, Hughes, the GAC's leading goalie during the season, stopped two more on-target attempts before SWOSU doubled its lead.
In the 80th minute, Alimata Rabo and Kelsey Smith assisted Micaela Swain for the host's second goal, putting the match out of reach.
By game's end, Hughes had recorded six saves while Pendleton notched nine.
Additionally, at the conclusion of the match, Fowler,
Kaylee Swaner and
Maddison Williams were named to the All-Tournament team.
