OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLA. (Aug. 29, 2024) – Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) women's soccer dropped a 2-1 final score against Oklahoma City University (OCU) to open its 2024 regular season. The Stars improve to 2-0, while OLLU is 0-1. The series between the two teams has the Stars on top 4-5-1.

Head Coach Lee Williams, commented, "OCU was a good test for us, and we wish them all the best for the season. We were excellent in all our principles and caused them multiple problems throughout the game. I am thrilled with everyone's effort and work rate. We are going in the right direction. I have seen a lot of players step up this trip so far. We are creating a team-first culture, and good things happen every time we get together. Again, I'm proud of the team tonight. We will learn from the loss and turn around and go against another top program Saturday before heading back home to San Antonio."

The teams performed equally in the first half. Both teams took five shots, one each on goal.

OCU started battling early in the second period with three consecutive corner kicks and a yellow card assessed on Saizlee Carlton. OLLU keeper Samantha Valadez saved Abby Russell's shot, and Carlton followed with kicking the ball in the net to give the Stars the 1-0 lead at the 64th minute.

The stars continued to get a couple of shots on goal, while OLLU also took chances to find the net.

After OLLU's Sara Garza's close shot narrowly missed the back of the net, Leah Tapia's goal in the 78th minute displayed the team's determination, tying the game at 1-1. With less than eight minutes remaining in the match, OCU's Russell scored what was to be the game-winning goal. The Saints had four more chances to score, but time ran out to end the game.

GAME LEADERS

• Kaitlyn Olivas – 4 shots
• Lyndee Rheinberger – 3 shots
• Leah Tapia – goal
• Samantha Valadez – 5 saves

TEAM STATS

• OLLU 13 shots/OCU 14
• OLLU 4 SOG/OCU 7
• OLLU 8 corners/OCU 10
• OLLU 3 fouls/OCU 8

What's next

The Saints will continue their Oklahoma trip with a match against the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (USAO) in Chickasha, Okla., on Saturday at noon. USAO received 11 votes in the latest NAIA Women's Soccer Coaches' Top 25 Poll released Aug. 28. The Saints are 1-3-2 against the Drovers.