SHAWNEE – With rain in the forecast in Alva on Wednesday, Oklahoma Baptist and Northwestern Oklahoma State agreed to flip fields and compete at the OBU Soccer Complex on Sept. 24 at 6 p.m.
It's the Great American Conference opener for both the Bison and Rangers. For OBU, its 2025 record is 0-3-3 while NWOSU enters unbeaten (5-0-1). Historically, the green and gold hold a 21-2-4 series advantage over Northwestern but as of late, results have been even.
In fact, over the last six matches OBU has one win, the Rangers have another and there have been four ties. Below are notes on both teams.
Bison Notes
- The Bison found some offensive traction last week, scoring three goals including two at Rogers State on Sept. 20.
- Lauren Hanley, Sam Sheffield and Lex Williamson provided the goals last week while Annabelle Joski and Sheffield added assists.
- For Sheffield, a sophomore, she has a team-high three points.
- Hali White checks in at sixth in the GAC in shots on goal per match (1.0). She's the only player to rank top-10 in a major category for the Bison.
- Freshman keeper Jolee King has started every match (6) for OBU. Last week she had nine saves, including eight in the 1-1 tie at Missouri Southern.
- As a unit, though, the Bison have given up 17 goals so far in 2025. That's sixth out of seven GAC institutions.
- OBU has progressed in its attacking on the final third. The team had 35 shots through the first four matches but have responded with 33 in the last two contests.
Rangers Notes
- As mentioned earlier, Northwestern has not been beaten and are 5-0-1.
- Defensively, the Rangers have only conceded two goals through six matches, a GAC-best.
- Furthermore, NWOSU has allowed six or less shots on goal in all but one of its matches.
- Their goalie, Taylor Annen, leads the conference in goals against average (.200), shutouts (4) and save percentage (.963).
- Offensively, Christi-Anne Mills sits atop the GAC leaderboard in shots on goal (11) and game-winning goals (3).
- Plus, Jenna Mills' two assists are tied with five others as best in the league.
- Historically, Northwestern has not fared well in Shawnee. In the D2 era, since 2015, the Rangers have only won twice in 10 matchups on Bison Hill.
