ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – Ouachita survived a waved-off, first-overtime goal by Oklahoma Baptist before winning a penalty-kick shootout 4-3 to claim its second straight Great American Conference Tournament title on Sunday at Kluck Field.
With the result, OBU finished its season with a 6-6-7 record while Ouachita improved to 8-7-4 and earned the GAC's automatic berth into the NCAA Division II Tournament.
Just before the penalty shootout, it appeared freshman
Sam Sheffield found the back of the net in the first overtime with a single second left. However, officials convened and ruled the ball didn't cross the goal mouth in time.
The two teams, evenly matched in regulation and overtime, traded offensive opportunities but were ultimately held in check by stellar defensive efforts and goalkeeping.
In the first half, Oklahoma Baptist's
Lex Williamson had a few solid attempts, and the Bison team applied consistent pressure, registering a 9-4 shots advantage. However, Ouachita goalkeeper Taylor Hapgood was impenetrable, recording four saves.
Despite their efforts, neither team could break through during regulation or overtime. Key chances included Allison Reece of Ouachita forcing a sharp save in the 82nd minute and from Bison players
Ashley Bell and Sheffield. Both squads were forced to rely on their depth as frequent substitutions provided fresh legs to sustain the effort.
In the decisive penalty shootout, the Bison held a 2-1 lead after a goal from
Chloe Monroe. A couple sequences later,
Olivia Kenas tied the shootout at 3-3. Then in the last two PKs, Ava Dunagan converted before the Bison's last attempt was saved off the right side by Hapgood, ending the match.
At the conclusion of the contest,
Claire Stoermer, Sheffield and Monroe, all freshmen, were named to the All-Tournament Team.
