By Treyvon Andres
Student Reporter
The Northwestern Oklahoma State Lady Ranger’s soccer team took to the road Sept. 6 and Sept. 8 to face Southwest Baptist University in Bolívar, Missouri, and then Oklahoma Christian University in Oklahoma City.
Originally, the Lady Rangers were set to face Oklahoma Christian on Saturday; however, due to rainy weather conditions, Saturday’s game did not occur.
The Lady Rangers battled Southwest Baptist on Thursday after strong outings from both teams left the game in a draw, 1-1.
The Lady Rangers fell behind in the 53rd minute of play when a defensive error occurred, giving the Southwest Baptist Bearcats a chance to score.
Weather moved in during the second half, and the players were drenched by a downpour of rain.
The slipper field did not stop the Lady Ranger attack, however.
Eight minutes after Southwest Baptist scored their goal, the Lady Rangers responded with an offensive attack of their own.
With her second goal of the season, junior midfielder Yazmin Gomez moved down the field and launched a 50 foot kick over the opposing goalie, tying the game 1-1.
Looking to take the lead, the Lady Ranger offense continued to take shots at Southwest Baptist.
Junior Tiana Young-Mauchly had a shot on goal in the 88th minute, but could not get it past the hands of the Southwest Baptist goalie.
Five Lady Rangers each recorded multiple shots during the game.
Senior Karla Lopez had three shots during the game.
Freshman Alissa Carlson put up four shots on the afternoon.
Freshman Abby Nunez recorded three shots on the afternoon, one of which was on frame.
Sophomore Makayla Barrientos not only played defense, but joined the Lady Ranger offensive attack several times.
At the end of regulation, the game was still tied 1-1. After playing two ten minute overtime periods, and neither team found the back of the net, the game ended in a draw.
“The girls played so well tonight, but we’ve just got to continue to minimize our mistakes,” head coach James Ross said after the game.
The Lady Rangers ended with a season high of 19 shots toward the goal.
Freshman goalkeeper Reagan Allen made 5 saves on the 12 shots Southwest Baptist had.
“Our next focus for the next game, for sure is finishing on goal,” junior midfielder Hollie Pankake said. “We make plenty of chances they just need to be on frame and thing the back of the net.”
The Lady Rangers face their next test Sept. 11 when they travel to play Newman University in Wichita, Kansas.
The Lady Rangers kickoff Great American Conference play at home on Sept. 18 as they face heated rival Southwestern Oklahoma State University.
“Having people come out to games is really something special,” Pankake said. “When we have a packed house, it tends to give us a boost behind us.”