CHICKASHA, Okla. – Sarah Leonard scored three goals, including the game winner in overtime to lead Oklahoma City University to a 4-3 win at USAO on Saturday afternoon in the first round of the Sooner Athletic Conference women's soccer tournament.
Leonard, a senior from West Yorkshire, England, scored two goals in the second half and one in overtime to keep the Stars alive in postseason play. Leonard leads the team with 22 goals.
OCU fell behind 1-0 in the 13th minute on a goal from Taylor Fain of USAO.
The Stars tied the score at 1-1 when Josefine Holmgren notched her first goal of the year on a free kick from straight on. Holmgren's ball first bounced off the top post and bounced in behind the goalkeeper.
Calli Cooper of USAO scored in the 41st minute to give the Lady Drovers a 2-1 lead at halftime.
Leonard took over for the Stars in the second half with the game-tying goal in the 55th minute off a nice dish from Malin Andersson. Leonard outran her defender and finished the one-on-one with the goalie to make it a 2-2 game.
Leonard followed with another goal in the 78th minute to give OCU a 3-2 lead with just under 13 minutes to play.
Cooper answered for USAO with a sliding goal in the 81st minute to tie the game at three each and send the game into overtime.
The overtime period didn't last long as each team had a good look in the first two minutes.
After Cooper missed off the post in the 91st minute, Leonard once again got behind the USAO defense and scored the game-winner.
USAO held a 12-11 shots advantage for the game, including 8-6 in shots on goal.
OCU goalkeeper Brittany Tibbs recorded five saves in the game.
The Stars will travel to Siloam Springs, Ark. on Tuesday to face No. 1 seed John Brown in the semifinals of the SAC tournament. OCU handed John Brown its only conference loss of the season with a 1-0 victory at Stars Field back on Oct. 10.
Boxscore
Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament
WOMEN
Saturday's Results
First Round
Oklahoma City 4, USAO 3, OT
Rogers State 1, Oklahoma Baptist 0
Tuesday's Matches
Semifinals
Oklahoma City at John Brown (Ark.), 2 p.m.
Rogers State at Southern Nazarene, 2 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 13
Championship
At highest remaining seed
