SHAWNEE, Okla. – Oklahoma City University will travel to take on St. Gregory's in the Sooner Athletic Conference women's soccer tournament quarterfinals at 1 p.m. Friday at Fr. Victor Roberts Field.
The Stars earned the fifth seed in the tournament after finishing 7-9, 5-4 in SAC competition. After starting the year 3-7, OCU finished 4-2 in its last six games to climb and finish within one standing point of third place in the conference.
OCU is led by midfielders Sara Ricks and Britani Tripp. Ricks, a sophomore from Keller, Texas, is tied for fourth in the SAC with eight goals in conference games, while Tripp, a senior from Edmond, Okla., is tied for ninth and collected SAC player of the week honors the last week of the season (Oct. 24-30).
The Stars have also had stellar play from sophomore goalkeeper Kirsten Thomas. A sophomore from Keller, Texas, Thomas has started all 15 games in goal this season and has recorded six shutouts, including four in the past six games.
The defense is anchored with experience by seniors Kailea Atkins, from Midlothian, Texas, and Syrina Lopez, from Las Vegas. The two combined have started 114 games for OCU over four years.
St. Gregory's went 9-7 overall and 5-4 in the SAC to receive the fourth seed by nature of their tiebreak win over OCU. The Cavaliers are led by Abi Housecroft, who scored both goals for St. Gregory's in its 2-1 win over OCU earlier this season in Shawnee.
Keep up with the live action via stats here.

Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament
WOMEN
Friday's Games
Quarterfinals
(5) Oklahoma City University at (4) St. Gregory's, 1 p.m.
(8) Wayland Baptist at (1) John Brown, 5:30 p.m.
(6) Mid-America Christian at (3) USAO, 7 p.m.   
(7) Southwestern Christian at (2) Texas Wesleyan, 7 p.m.
Monday, Nov. 7
Semifinals
WBU-JBU winner vs. OCU-SGU winner
MACU-USAO winner vs. SCU-TWU winner
Friday, Nov. 11
Championship
Semifinal winners