SEARCY, Ark. -- Oklahoma Baptist secured a 1-0 victory over Harding at the Stevens Soccer Complex on Saturday. The match was evenly contested, with both sides showing solid defensive skills and offensive pressure, but it was Oklahoma Baptist who found the breakthrough.
The decisive moment came in the 68th minute when
Sophie Jordan netted the only goal of the match. Assisted by
Sam Sheffield, Jordan capitalized, her second goal of the season. The score marked a pivotal shift in the match, as Harding, despite several efforts, couldn't break through Oklahoma Baptist's defense.
OBU controlled the first half, tallying seven shots, with four on target, while HU managed just three without any hitting the target. Harding came out stronger in the second half, creating 12 shots, three of which required saves from Oklahoma Baptist's goalie,
Claire Stoermer. Stoermer's three saves played a crucial role in preserving the lead for the green and gold.
In terms of set-pieces, Harding earned more corner kicks by an 8-2 margin, reflecting its offensive surge in the second stanza. However, they couldn't convert these opportunities into goals. The Bison committed seven fouls, while Harding had 13, indicating the physical nature of the match.
Ultimately, Oklahoma Baptist's defense held firm, and their lone goal was enough to improve their season record to 5-6-3 overall and 4-3-2 in conference play.
With the two wins this week, OBU is just a point out of first place in the GAC standings. They have 14 while Southern Nazarene and Ouachita have 15.
