OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma City University sent Texas Wesleyan packing with a 2-0 victory in the Sooner Athletic Conference women's soccer tournament quarterfinals Thursday at Brian Harvey Field.
The Stars (11-3-4) got scoring from
Madi Caputo in the 37th minute and
Saizlee Carlton in the 71st minute. OCU will travel to Chickasha, Okla., to face top-seeded Science & Arts at 7 p.m. Monday in the SAC Tournament semifinals.
Oklahoma City limited Texas Wesleyan to five shots to collect its sixth shutout of the year. Juniors
Rylee Orton and
Hannah McReynolds provided the Stars with solid defense. Orton came out from her defensive position and helped create opportunities for OCU as well.
Piper Nichols made some solid plays, stopping the Rams attack from her defensive position throughout the game. Stars coach
Billy Martin applauded his team's offensive and defensive attacks.
"The ladies played really well," Martin said. "It was a great team win, and the way the ladies committed to defending will always create chances on the offensive side. To keep a clean sheet was our goal. We stressed the importance of working hard when we don't have the ball. It was a great team win for us."
In the first period, the Stars had a few early chances at goals on corner kicks, but nothing to show for. Their first good shot came in the 25th minute when
Madi Caputo sailed the ball over the goal. In the 37th minute,
April Hill tipped the ball to Caputo, who scored easily. Caputo scored her 11th goal of the season and posted her seventh goal in nine matches. Caputo became the OCU career assists leader on Oct. 8 against Wayland Baptist (Texas) at Brian Harvey Field, surpassing Brooke Wooldridge's 36 assists compiled from 1994-97. Caputo has 35 goals and 40 assists in her career.
OCU's second goal came in the second period in the 71st minute from
Saizlee Carlton. Her seventh goal of the season came on a cross from
Millie Templeman that Carlton put past the Texas Wesleyan goalkeeper.
Stars goalkeeper
Irene Gonzalez corralled the four shots she was faced with in the win. OCU finished with 17 shots and nine shots on goal.
