The Baker University women’s soccer team went 1-1 over the weekend as they lost to 19th ranked Oklahoma City University 2-0 Friday and defeated Southern Nazarene University 1-0 Saturday. Baker has a 3-3 record on the year.
Midfielder Christine Janssens scored a goal in the first five minutes of the game off a pass from freshman Haley Oborny, which turned out to be the deciding factor against Southern Nazarene.
“We were a much more complete team and dominated the whole game,” head coach Nate Houser said. “When we start well, then we finish well.”
Janssens said the women’s team could have won the three games it lost if the team would have played with the same intensity for the entire game that it usually plays with in the second half.
Injuries continue to be an issue for the ‘Cats.
Sophomore Gina Schiraldi pulled her groin, but should be ready for today’s game. Defender Alysia King may also be able return to play this weekend, while goalkeeper Pam Brummit was able to return and play against both Oklahoma City and Southern Nazarene after receiving stitches above her eye.
“It has been difficult without King and Pam, but I think with them being back we will be much more confident,” captain Sara Matthews said.
Oklahoma City came up with the only goal of the first half with 10 minutes left. The Stars closed out the game with a second goal with 40 seconds left.
“We came out slow in the first half,” Matthews said. “We need to play hard the whole game instead of just the second half.”
The turning point of the game was a controversial play with Baker down 1-0 in the second half. A shot by freshman Jennifer Sampson was partially saved by the OCU goalie, but then appeared to roll in the net. The referees did not see the play and allowed play to continue without ruling the shot as a goal.
“It would have been a big turning point if we had been given the goal,” Janssens said. “The game would have been tied and we could have played at our pace instead of rushing to score.”
The ‘Cats will play Hannibal LaGrange today at 4 p.m. at North Park and will face Friends University at 1 p.m. Sunday at North Park.
“Everything is there tactically, we just need to work on the mental strengths,” Janssens said.