Women's Soccer 9/17/2019 9:42:00 AM Chris Brannick

Central Oklahoma Hosts East Central

EDMOND – The University of Central Oklahoma soccer team wraps up its four-game homestand to open the 2019 season Wednesday evening with the 10th-ranked Bronchos hosting East Central for a 7 p.m. kickoff at Tom Thompson Field.

UCO enters the matchup 2-0-1 on the season, with wins over Southern Nazarene and Oklahoma Christian. Central also tied No. 17 Dallas Baptist in the season opener. East Central is 2-2 this season. After an 0-2 start, the Tigers of Ada, Okla. have wins over Oklahoma Christian and UCO's conference foe, Missouri Southern. ECU beat MSSU 4-3 in overtime on Sunday.

UCO brings its high-octane offense into the ECU match averaging 4.67 goals per game. The Bronchos averaged 5.5 per game last week. Central has scored 14 goals in three games, and average a blistering 31 shots per game.

Asha Haile leads that charge. The senior forward has scored five goals in three games this season and also has one assist. She's taken a team-high 17 shots and put 10 shots on goal. Kelsie Eason is also chipping in at a high rate. The junior midfield/forward combo has four goals in three games and has two assists.

Defensively, UCO has allowed seven goals in three games – a 2.33 per game average. Central only gives up 11 shots per game and has allowed just 14 shots on goal.

The Bronchos have used three goalkeepers in three games. Kaitlyn Asher allowed three goals in her opportunity, playing the most minutes of any keeper at 110. Bailey Ledbetter started the second game and allowed two goals in 90 minutes. Kelsi Gibson also allowed two goals in 90 minutes in her start in match No. 3.

East Central has scored just five goals in four games – with four of those coming Sunday against Missouri Southern. The Tigers have taken a total of 37 shots in four games (9.3 per game) and have put 17 shots on goal. Aubrey Leveling's two goals are a team-high, while three others have one goal. ECU allows 2.25 goals per game.

Central Oklahoma will hit the road for the first time this season Friday, playing a non-conference game against conference foe Northeastern State in Tahlequah. UCO then returns home and will play five straight at Tom Thompson Field beginning with Sunday afternoon against Newman.

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Players Mentioned

#1 Kaitlyn Asher: GK; 5' 7"; Junior

#10 Kelsie Eason: MF; 5' 6"; Junior

#0 Kelsi Gibson: GK; 5' 7"; Sophomore

#19 Asha Haile: F; 5' 4"; Senior

#00 Bailey Ledbetter: GK; 5' 6"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#1 Kaitlyn Asher
: 5' 7"; Junior
: GK

#10 Kelsie Eason
: 5' 6"; Junior
: MF

#0 Kelsi Gibson
: 5' 7"; Sophomore
: GK

#19 Asha Haile
: 5' 4"; Senior
: F

#00 Bailey Ledbetter
: 5' 6"; Freshman
: GK