UCO Hosts Oklahoma Christian Saturday

9/8/2017 4:56:00 PM | By: Chris Brannick

Central Oklahoma midfielder Camrie Hurst has one assist in three games this season. The Bronchos host Oklahoma Christian in the home-opener for the 2017 season. [UCO Photo Services]

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EDMOND – The University of Central Oklahoma soccer team is opening the gates of Tom Thompson Soccer Field for the first time this season, when the Bronchos host Oklahoma Christian at 1 p.m. Saturday.

UCO is winless in three matches to start the 2017 season. The Bronchos dropped two contests in Texas to Angelo State and Texas A&M-Commerce before falling to Southwestern Oklahoma State on Thursday.

"We've seen glimpses of what we're trying to do," UCO head coach Mike Cook said. "We just need to put it all together. We've got to play strong for 90 minutes and do the things we know are working for us. And we have to eliminate mistakes."

The Bronchos take on Oklahoma Christian in what will be just the ninth all-time meeting. UCO has won all eight previous contests against the Eagles. The last time the teams played was 2009, when UCO won 1-0 in a game played in Wantland Stadium.

The Central offense, through almost two weeks of play, hasn't quite found a rhythm that Cook is accustomed to. UCO has traditionally played a high-octane style of attacking soccer. This season, in just three matches, the Bronchos are taking just eight shots per game and only putting half of those on target.

Kelsie Eason, a freshman, has taken six shots this season, most on the team. Eason has put three on target, and also leads the team there along with Asha Haile. Haile, a sophomore, is one of two Bronchos to score this season. She netted the lone goal in Central's 2-1 loss to SWOSU Thursday. Kelsey Gordon, a defender, has the other Broncho goal.

In goal, Kaitlyn Asher has played all 270 minutes this season in net. The freshman from Bixby has a .708 save percentage, making 17 saves and allowing seven goals.

For Oklahoma Christian, three players have scored one goal each through three games played for the Eagles, who are 1-2. OC beat East Central 1-0 to open the season, before losing 3-2 in overtime to Southern Nazarene, and 3-0 to Lubbock Christian in its most recent outing.

OC's Brianna Concienne is one of three with a goal, but she also added the assist on Dakota Milner and Courtney Nixon's scores. Milner also has an assist.

A note for fans coming to Tom Thompson Field Saturday. The Bronchos are accepting donations (non-perishable items) for hurricane relief efforts at a location inside the gates.

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