Initial Women's Soccer Season Closes with Loss

The first Oklahoma Baptist University women's soccer season came to a close Friday with a 1-0 loss at No. 23 Northwestern Oklahoma State University in the first round of the Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament.

Goalkeeper Maira Negri kept the Rangers out of her goal for almost 80 minutes before Becky Schaeffer scored her first goal of the season from inside the box with an assist from Sherina Wood. Negri finished with four saves.

The Lady Bison didn't have a shot on goal in the first half but challenged Delydia Gay three times in the second half with Cara Zalenski, Katinha Arruda and Melissa Thorman all giving a shot at a meaningful goal.

Northwestern outshot OBU 10-7 for the game and will move on to the semifinal round Monday, where they will host Oklahoma Christian. Oklahoma City and John Brown also advanced to the semifinal round.

Coached by Marcelo Galvao, OBU concludes its first season in women's soccer with a 6-9-1 record. Some of the school records will include 11 goals in one game (vs. Oklahoma Wesleyan), two shutouts by Negri, 14 goals in a season by Arruda, eight assists in a season by Anne Castro and Arruda, and 36 points in a season by Arruda.