Women's Soccer 9/1/2021 5:50:00 PM Chris Brannick

No. 10 UCO Opens Season At No. 7 DBU

Central Visits Dallas Baptist For Key Early Season Matchup

DALLAS – The University of Central Oklahoma is scheduled to make its 2021 season debut Thursday night with a 7 p.m. matchup against Dallas Baptist.

Central, ranked No. 10 in the United Soccer Coaches Preseason Top 25, visits DBU, which is ranked No. 7 in the national poll.

"We are just excited to be back," UCO head soccer coach Mike Cook said. "We're excited at the opportunity to play again. Dallas Baptist is a really good team and we're going to have to be on top of our game. It'll be exciting to see how the team responds to a really strong test in the first game. We're looking forward to it."

UCO is making its return to the pitch for the first time since the national tournament in 2019 – over 600 days ago. The Bronchos did not play last fall due to the ongoing pandemic but did play a modified spring season, albeit unofficial results, that saw UCO go 8-4-1 and win the MIAA's postseason tournament.

Central has a pair of veterans in Meredith Wilson and Kaitlyn Asher who return for a fifth year. The two had their senior season canceled last fall and the NCAA extended eligibility to those individuals, allowing for the duo one more chance to finish their careers on their terms.

Wilson has 60 career games played to her credit and has been key in Central Oklahoma winning each of the last three MIAA postseason tournament titles. Wilson has helped the Bronchos to national tournament appearances too in both 2018 and 2019.

Asher, who earned All-MIAA honors as a goalkeeper, has played in 30 games during her time at Central. But she does add 96 career saves to her credit and was the keeper in goal during Central's shootout win over longtime rival Northeastern State in the 2019 MIAA Championship match.

UCO will also look to a talented junior class that are really seniors in their fourth year in the program. Taryn Kedzior leads that bunch alongside Kaylee Collins and Katie Gasaway. Hannah Daaboul, Kelsi Gibson and Katy Tullis are also included in a group that has won an MIAA postseason title each year they've been in the program.

Kedzior's five goals scored in 2019 are the most by any returning player this season. She also added four assists that season for 14 total points.

Eden Jones (three goals and one assist) and Monika McGee (two goals and three assists) are a pair of sophomores (really juniors) that will be key for the Bronchos this fall. Brooke Moore, who scored one goal and had two assists in 2019 can be included with Jones and McGee.

Dallas Baptist welcomes Central to Texas as the seventh-ranked team in the country. Reigning Lone Star Conference Player of the Year Ashley Merrill leads the Patriots. Blythe Obar leads the team defensively and was named the LSC's Defensive Player of the Year last year.

The two school have met 15 times, with Central posting an 11-3-1 advantage in the series. The Bronchos are in search of their first win against DBU since 2012. UCO dropped a 2-1 decision in 2013 and the team's tied in the 2019 season opener, 3-3, in Edmond.

UCO will return home following Thursday night's contest. The Bronchos take on Midwestern State Saturday, Sept. 4 at 7 p.m. at Tom Thompson Field in the first home match of the season.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

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

#9 Kaylee Collins: MF; 5' 6"; Junior

#20 Hannah Daaboul: F; 5' 5"; Senior

#16 Katie Gasaway: F; 5' 5"; Junior

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

#15 Eden Jones: MF; 5' 9"; Sophomore

#14 Taryn Kedzior: D; 5' 11"; Junior

#6 Monika McGee: MF; 5' 6"; Sophomore

#7 Brooke Moore: F; 5' 6"; Sophomore

#17 Katy Tullis: MF; 5' 3"; Junior

Players Mentioned

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

#9 Kaylee Collins
: 5' 6"; Junior
: MF

#20 Hannah Daaboul
: 5' 5"; Senior
: F

#16 Katie Gasaway
: 5' 5"; Junior
: F

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

#15 Eden Jones
: 5' 9"; Sophomore
: MF

#14 Taryn Kedzior
: 5' 11"; Junior
: D

#6 Monika McGee
: 5' 6"; Sophomore
: MF

#7 Brooke Moore
: 5' 6"; Sophomore
: F

#17 Katy Tullis
: 5' 3"; Junior
: MF