Bronchos host NSU in non-conference action Friday

9/14/2017 8:17:00 AM | By: Chris Brannick

UCO freshman Kelsie Eason has scored two goals through four matches this season to lead the Bronchos. UCO hosts Northeastern State at 4 p.m. Friday at Tom Thompson Soccer Field in Edmond. [UCO Photo Services]

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EDMOND – The University of Central Oklahoma soccer team returns to the pitch at Tom Thompson Soccer Field Friday with a 4 p.m. kickoff scheduled against rival Northeastern State in what will be a non-conference matchup against the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association foe.

The Bronchos (1-3) are looking for a second consecutive win after a slow start to the season. UCO beat Oklahoma Christian this past Saturday 5-1, after coming up short in its first three matches of the 2017 season.

"We obviously needed that win for a few different reasons," UCO head coach Mike Cook said. "We now know what we're capable of, and we just need to do those same things moving forward and play strong for a full 90 minutes."

UCO freshman Kelsie Eason led the charge of Bronchos on the attack last week and is looking to keep that up in Week 3. Eason, a freshman from Bartlesville, scored her first two career goals against Oklahoma Christian. She leads the team in that category, as well as shots taken (12), and shots on goal (6).

The Bronchos have spread the wealth on offense when it comes to scoring goals. Eason is the only player with two, while five others have scored. Asha Haile, Morgan Cherry, Mikayla Lowery, Camrie Hurst, and Kelsey Gordon have also netted shots for Central.

Cook is looking for his team to step up a notch on defense. The Bronchos have allowed eight goals in four games, while opponents have taken 46 total shots (28 on goal). That has put a lot of pressure on the Broncho goalkeepers, two of which are true freshman.

Kaitlyn Asher started the first three games, and made 17 saves in facing 24 shots. Ally Salls started against Oklahoma Christian and made two saves. Katrina Ortiz played the second half of that game and made one save while allowing one goal. Asher and Ortiz are both playing their first season of collegiate soccer. Salls, a junior, entered the season with 80 career saves in two seasons of competition.

Northeastern State comes to Edmond looking to avenge a loss in the season-finale last year. The Riverhawks took down the Bronchos in Tahlequah in the schools' non-conference matchup in 2016, but UCO responded with a big win in Edmond last October.

NSU is a perfect 4-0 on the season and has outscored its opponents a combined 16-0. Jessie Lynch leads the team with four goals scored. Meg Smith is the predominant starter in net for NSU and has made 24 saves in more than 300 minutes played through two weeks of soccer.

The Bronchos hit the road following Friday's match. UCO plays at Southwest Baptist on Sunday at 1 p.m. in Bolivar, Mo. That match will also be a non-conference match before the Bronchos begin their 12-game MIAA slate in Edmond next weekend.

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