Game Statistics
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. (Sept. 27) -- Not even a broken-down bus could keep streaking Central Oklahoma from continuing its winning ways here Sunday afternoon.
Freshman Brittni Walker scored three goals and assisted on another while senior Tiffanie Meek had three assists as the Bronchos overcame pre-game travel difficulties to roll over Northeastern State 4-1 in the Lone Star Conference opener for both teams.
It was the seventh consecutive win for the Bronchos, whose bus broke down 45 minutes into the trip and resulted in a number of players' parents having to transport the team to the game. NSU then ended UCO's six-game shutout streak with an early goal, but Walker scored twice in a four-minute span and Coach Mike Cook's squad was on its way.
"It was a tough day with all we had happen before the game, but this team showed a lot of character and responded to the challenge," Cook said. "We really had to scramble around to get there and then they (NSU) came out and got a quick goal on us, but we settled down and played really well to pick up a great road win."
The RiverHawks took a 1-0 lead just 4:06 into the contest, but Walker answered back less than two minutes later when she headed in a goal off a direct kick from Meek. That combination came through again at the 9:07 mark, with Walker taking a Meek cross and knocking in a shot from 10 yards out.
UCO upped the lead to 3-1 in the 33rd minute when Stephanie Fleig took a pass from Walker and blew past the NSU defense for her first goal of the season and that's the way the first half ended.
Walker gave the Bronchos a 4-1 advantage three minutes into the second half as her and Meek teamed up yet again, with Walker heading in a cross to the far post.
UCO outshot the RiverHawks 19-8, with Megan Riley and Samantha Rusk sharing time in goal. Riley had three saves in the first half, while Rusk rejected NSU's lone shot on goal in the second.
The six-time conference champion Bronchos, now 7-3-1 on the year, return to action Tuesday when they host Southwestern Oklahoma. Game-time at Wantland Stadium is 7 p.m. as UCO attempts to set a single-game NCAA Division II attendance record.
