OKLAHOMA CITY ? Jessica Caudle put the game?s only goal just past the goal line in Oklahoma City University?s 1-0 victory over Oklahoma Christian in the Sooner Athletic Conference women?s soccer tournament semifinals Monday at Stars Field.
Caudle, a freshman from Putnam City North High School, ran towards a cross from Jennifer Crawford. Caudle met the pass within 5 yards of the goal, then kicked the ball towards the Oklahoma Christian goal. Goalkeeper Lisa Jorgensen caught the ball, but was deep enough in the goal for Caudle?s shot to be a goal.
The Stars advanced to the championship game against Oklahoma Baptist, which beat John Brown (Ark.) in a shootout. Second-seeded OCU is the highest remaining seed and will host the SAC championship at 2 p.m. Friday.
Winds blew across the field, affecting play. The temperature was 55 degrees at game time.
?The way the wind was playing the wind was holding the ball up,? OCU coach Brian Harvey said. ?When the ball comes from left to right, it is going into the north wind, and it was holding it up. Jessica did very well, she missed her first opportunity, then really got after the second one and was able to force the ball up and make the game winner.?
The score came in the 64th minute. OCU put 16 shots on goal compared to Oklahoma Christian?s three.
?We got the better of them the second half,? Harvey said. ?My assistant coach told me early on he felt the one goal would separate the two teams, and eventually it did.?
The Stars, ranked 23rd in the NAIA, went to 16-2-1. If John Brown had beaten Oklahoma Baptist, John Brown would have hosted the championship game.
?I was hoping OBU pulled it off because that would mean the championship game would be held here at Stars soccer field, so I was hoping for an upset victory by OBU,? Harvey said.