University of Central Oklahoma Athletics

Grantham To The Rescue

9/3/2010 7:11:13 PM

Kate Foran

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EDMOND (Sept. 3) – Summer Grantham knocked in an easy open-net goal with just 30 seconds remaining to lift Central Oklahoma to a 2-1 season-opening victory over Nebraska-Omaha Friday afternoon at Tom Thompson Field on the first day of the Broncho Invitational.

The game appeared destined for overtime as the final minute wound down, but UNO's goalkeeper came out of the box to challenge the Bronchos and that left Grantham wide open. The sophomore midfielder took a short pass from Ashton Morris and scooted the ball into the net from 25 feet out to end a tense defensive struggle between the two teams.

“To get a big win like that against a program like UNO at home, in the first game of the season, as banged up as we are, that's huge,” UCO head coach Mike Cook said. “It's a tremendous testament to the girls' character and hard work and it's just a great way to start the season.”

UCO had a couple of good scoring chances in the first 20 minutes before Brittni Walker finally gave the Bronchos a 1-0 lead at the 30:43 mark, scoring on a rebound finish from close range off an assist from freshman Sherri Collins.

The Mavericks drew even in the 55th minute on a header by Hayley Renshaw and UNO missed a good chance to take the lead with just over five minutes remaining when a wide-open shot from close range bounced off the post.

UCO's Katy Kashwer had a long shot knocked away with 3:49 remaining to keep the two teams tied and goalkeeper Samantha Rusk smothered a 30-yard bullet by the Mavericks a couple of minutes later to set the stage for Grantham's game-winner.

The Bronchos outshot UNO 14-11, getting 11 shots on goal. Kashwer and Shayna Kindsvater helped spearhead the defense effort, while Rusk made five saves.

UCO returns to action Sunday, hosting No. 24-ranked Truman State at 2 p.m. UNO and Midwestern State play at 12 p.m. in the first game that day.

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