OBU Sports
Jordan Beech, Assistant Director of Athletics Communications
Jordan Beech, Assistant Director of Athletics Communications
ALVA – In a high-scoring affair, it was a pair of defenders that ended up securing the decisive goal as Oklahoma Baptist clinched the Great American Conference regular season crown on Wednesday night in Alva, dropping Northwestern Oklahoma State, 3-2.
The win over the Rangers, worth three points in the GAC standings, gives OBU 29 points (9W, 2T) in GAC competition this season. That point title also ensures that the Lady Bison claim the regular season title outright after going eight points clear of second-place Southwestern Oklahoma State with only two matches left on the Bulldogs’ calendar.
With the title in hand, the Lady Bison also earn the right to host the GAC Women’s Soccer Championship next week on Nov. 2-4. It’s the first year OBU is eligible for postseason play after completing the transition to NCAA Division II this past September.
A back-and-forth first half saw a two-goal lead by OBU evaporate before the Lady Bison quickly rallied. Ruth King scored off an assist from Emmily Infante to open the scoring in the 11th minute, and then doubled her tally in the 26th minute for a 2-0 lead. Northwestern then scored two goals in a five minute span to knot up the proceedings.
It didn’t take OBU long, however, to put themselves back on top as Lara Haring-Lovett connected on a corner kick whipped in by Jennifer Goethe in the 39th minute to make it 3-2. The goal would prove to be a historic one for OBU as it earned the Lady Bison their first conference crown.
Emily Griffith made three saves while earning her 14th win of the year, including two second-half saves to preserve the result.
Oklahoma Baptist (14-1-2, 9-0-2 GAC) wrap up the regular season with a trip to Weatherford to take on SWOSU on Saturday, Oct. 28 at 1 p.m.