EMPORIA, Kan. – Oklahoma Baptist found the back of the net early in the second half, but Emporia State answered with three more goals to hand the Bison a 5-1 setback Monday afternoon at ESU Pitch.

Emporia State controlled the tempo from the opening whistle and struck twice in the first 15 minutes. Megan Kephart opened the scoring in the seventh minute off an assist from Ella Favot before adding a second goal less than eight minutes later, giving the Hornets a 2-0 advantage.

The Bison weathered consistent pressure throughout the opening half as goalkeeper Makenzie Christian made six first-half saves to keep OBU within striking distance. Oklahoma Baptist generated a pair of late opportunities before the break, including a shot on goal from Clara Martin, but trailed 2-0 at intermission.

OBU came out aggressively after halftime and quickly cut the deficit in half. Just 3:04 into the second stanza, Camden Ocheskey scored, pulling the Bison within 2-1 and creating momentum for the visitors.

The Hornets regained control midway through the half. Kephart completed her hat trick in the 61st minute on another assist from Favot, restoring a two-goal cushion. Favot then set up Taylor McFalls for a goal in the 73rd minute before Avery Zimmerman capped the scoring in the 80th minute.

Emporia State finished with a 19-8 advantage in total shots and placed 14 attempts on frame. Christian recorded eight saves in 81 minutes, while Jolee King added a save over the final nine minutes in goal. Ocheskey accounted for Oklahoma Baptist's lone goal, while Ryann Phillips, Addison Gray, Hali White, Annelis Perez and Martin each recorded a shot on goal.

The loss drops the Bison to 1-4 on the season. Their next match comes on Sept. 16 when they open conference play at rival Southwestern Oklahoma State.