Own goal helps Golden Eagles earn win over Oklahoma City

Courtesy of JBU Sports Information John Brown University midfielder Casey O’Brien celebrates after her goal against Oklahoma City gave the Golden Eagles a 2-1 victory against the Stars on Wednesday at Alumni Field.
Courtesy of JBU Sports Information John Brown University midfielder Casey O’Brien celebrates after her goal against Oklahoma City gave the Golden Eagles a 2-1 victory against the Stars on Wednesday at Alumni Field.

John Brown University's women's soccer team used a fortunate bounce in double overtime to claim a 2-1 victory over Oklahoma City Wednesday at Alumni Field.

The Stars' defense accidentally played the ball into its own net in the 109th minute of play, helping the Golden Eagles avoid a draw in its first conference match held in Siloam Springs.

"That was a big win for us moving forward," head coach Kathleen Paulsen said. "Oklahoma City is always a great opponent. I was really proud of our effort and I thought that was our first complete game in terms of living out our core values. I saw competing, work rate and grinding it out. I think we grew today and I look forward to having more opportunities to grow in the future."

JBU (6-2-1, 2-0-0 SAC) earned a 6-3 shooting advantage in the first half, but neither team was able to find the scoreboard. Both junior keeper Kristen Morency and OCU's Ashley Bechtold made a pair of saves in the first 45 minutes of play.

The Golden Eagles scored the match's first goal in the 51st minute on a passing play that was a result of a City turnover. Sophomore striker Bryadi Frederick turned a Star miscue on the left flank into a through ball to a streaking Casey O'Brien. The senior midfielder burned up the lane and tore past her defender before crossing the ball into the box. That's where freshman midfielder Sara Frey found an open scoring chance by burying a one-touch shot just yards from the goalmouth for her fourth goal of the season.

City used a 6-5 advantage in shots in the second stanza and finally found the back of the net in the 74th minute. A JBU foul just outside the box on the right flank afforded the Stars (5-2-0, 0-2-0 SAC) a free kick. Britani Soesbee sent a bouncing ball into the box, where it pinballed off of Keren Sharabi and past to OCU's leading scorer, Allison Worsham. Worsham bicycle-kicked a hopefully ball that found the left side of the net past Morency, knotting the score at one apiece.

John Brown had an opportunity to end the game in the 80th minute when a perfectly-placed Frey corner kick found an uncovered Sam Weber at the far post. The freshman defender just missed making contact with the ball, with just an empty net in front of her, keeping the game tied at one.

Neither team pieced together a prime scoring opportunity in either overtime. In the 109th minute, the Frederick-to-O'Brien connection sparked another offensive spurt. Frederick's throw in on the left side just in front of her own bench sprang O'Brien up the middle. Similar to the first goal, O'Brien sped past her defender and played a well-placed ball into the box. This time, however, a City defender managed to get a foot on the ball, but inadvertently sent a carom past Bechtold, handing the Golden Eagles a 2-1 victory.

John Brown finished with a 13-9 shooting advantage as Frey's four attempts paced the hosts. Sophomore midfielder Savannah Beth, senior striker Laura Garcia and sophomore midfielder Sara Lachance each had two shots in the win.

Morency made three saves in the victory, pushing her career win mark to 29-11-5. Bechtold took the loss in net for Oklahoma City, making five saves while yielding a pair of goals.

The Golden Eagles returned to Alumni Field where it was host to St. Gregory's (Okla.) as part of the Homecoming 2014 festivities. Results were not available at presstime.

Sports on 10/05/2014