OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma City women's soccer returns to action this week the first two road games of the season in Texas.
The Stars play Our Lady of the Lake in San Antonio on Thursday and Houston-Victoria in Victoria on Saturday. Both contests launch at 1 p.m.
OCU Notes
Six-Sess: Oklahoma City had a successful season opener, pouring in six goals on University of the Southwest.
Yami Ponce had two goals in the win. The six goals were the most in a season opener since 2015 when the Stars hung six on Lyon.
Goals Tendered: The six goals OCU scored in its season opener came from five players. Ponce had two goals while
Reese Roberts,
Chloi Thurman,
Amelia Horsford and
Wachipi Hamelryck scored one each. Roberts had the game-winning goal.
Second in the NAIA: The Stars are second nationally in goals per game at 6.0. Grace University averages eight goals in its two games.
On the Assists: Three Stars posted assists in the season opener:
Saizlee Carlton,
Inka Silz and
Kayleigh Haygood.
Back Row No Go: The Southwest attack yielded only two shots against a stingy Stars defense, led by
Piper Nichols. The Stars allowed just one shot on goal.
Blanco with the Blank: Candela Blanco was tested once and came away with the shutout win in goal for the Stars in her OCU debut.
All-SAC Returners: OCU has four All-SAC players returning this season.
Piper Nichols,
Amelia Horsford,
Reese Roberts and
Ashley Russell earned the honor in 2024.
Bright Women: OCU last year placed eight women's soccer players on the Scholar Athlete list, which requires a 3.50 cumulative grade point average. Five of those players return this season –
Jadyn Basler,
Ryann Brooks,
Ashley Russell, Abbey Russell and
Inka Silz.
Familiar Faces: The Stars return 20 players from last year's team.
Reese Roberts returns as a captain.
Yami Ponce,
Saizlee Carlton,
Abby Russell, and
Amelia Horsford combined for 20 goals last season while Carlton and Russell amassed 10 assists.
Piper Nichols and
Aynslee Duffy return to anchor the defense.
Gemma Harvey is back in goal for the Stars in 2025. Also returning are defenders
Devin Jansing,
Alyssa Schuerch, and
Jadyn Basler; forward
Ryann Brooks; and midfielders
Ashley Russell,
Chloi Thurman,
Inka Silz,
Wachipi Hamelryck,
Kyrie Soto, and
Dylan Harned.
Transformational Transfers: OCU has three transfers on the team this year.
Tatum Tallal, a senior forward from Central Oklahoma,
Candela Blanco, a junior keeper from Central Methodist and
Kayleigh Haygood, a junior forward from Rose State bring experience to the Stars.
One Fresh Face: The lone freshman on the team is Piedmont forward Ali Daughtery, who hopes to make the transition to the college game quickly.
A Little History: The Stars have won the last two meetings and registered a tie in 2022 – the last visit to OLLU. The teams have met in each of the last three seasons. OCU has won four straight against UHV, including a 2-1 win in Victoria last season.
Scouting Our Lady of the Lake: OLLU is 1-0 after a 1-0 win at Schreiner. Sara Garza got that goals for the Saints with an assist from Monica Sanchez. The OLLU defense didn't allow a shot on goal and limited Schriner to four shots.
Scouting Houston-Victoria: UHV's season opener comes Saturday against the Stars. The Jaguars were 11-6 last season.
Coach Billy Martin: Coach Martin is 44-33-7 since taking the helm at OCU in 2020-21. He has 10 or more wins in each of the last three seasons.
