June 13, 2003

Soccer is coming to Oklahoma Baptist University as a varsity sport, beginning in the 2004-05 academic year.

The university has unveiled plans to add its 15th and 16th sport when the Bison and Lady Bison begin soccer action in the Fall of 2004. A search will begin soon for a full-time coach who will direct both programs. The university hopes to have the new coach in place Jan. 1, 2004.

"I am excited to be adding men's and women's soccer as varsity sports at OBU," said Dr. Norris Russell, the university’s director of athletics. "Our only fall sports have been men’s and women’s cross country, so this gives us additional fall sports which should be very popular with the students. And, the Sooner Athletic Conference has typically been very strong in men’s and women’s soccer, so we are anxious to have a soccer program that can compete at that level."

OBU Women's Soccer Firsts
First Game: Sept. 3, 2004, vs. University of Texas-Dallas
First Win: Sept. 7, 2004, vs. Bethany College, 3-0
First Goal: Katinha Arruda, Sept. 7, 2004, vs. Bethany College, 8th minute
First Assist: Deena Almohandis, Sept. 7, 2004, vs. Bethany, 8th minute
First Save: Maira Negri, Sept. 3, 2004, vs. Texas-Dallas
First Multi-Goal Game: Cara Zalenski, Sept. 7, 2004, vs. Bethany College
First Hat Trick: Cara Zalenski, Sept. 18, 2004, vs. Southwestern Kansas
First Assist Hat Trick: Deena Almohandis, Sept. 7, 2004, vs. Bethany
First Shutout: Maira Negri and Andi Little, Sept. 7, 2004, vs. Bethany