ORU Soccer Falls To Denver In Overtime

The Oral Roberts University women's soccer team's defense was strong all night in its Summit League opener at Denver, but the Pioneers slipped past the Golden Eagles in overtime, 1-0.

ORU fell to 1-5-4 overall and 0-1-0 in league play, while the Pioneers improved to 5-5-1 and 1-0-0 on the season. The Golden Eagles are 0-1-3 this season in overtime matches.

The Golden Eagles had their best opportunity of the match in the second minute as Megan Giles put a shot on point, but Denver goalkeeper Tina Vargas made a fingertip save diving to her right.

ORU starting keeper Helen Erb did everything she could to keep the Pioneers out of the goal, earning six saves through the first 90 minutes. However, in the 95th minute following a corner kick, Sam Harder delivered a bullet inside the left post for the game-winner.

Turning Point

Sam Harder scored the game-winner in the 95th minute as she blasted a shot from 15 yards out on the right side toward the opposite post.

Inside the Box Score

· Helen Erb (1-2-1) recorded six saves in goal for the Golden Eagles.

· Megan Giles put the only shot on goal for ORU in the match.

· Madison Valenzuela, Tahlor Lyman and Kaily Cox each took a shot.

· Defenders Cheyenne Diggs, Mariah Morgan and Maria Stordahl played the duration of the match for ORU.

· Brooke Boothe led DU with six shots, three of which were put on goal.

· Tina Vargas made one save in just her second start of the season between the posts for DU.

News and Notes

· The game-winning goal snapped a 186-minute streak by Helen Erb without allowing a goal.

· The match was just the second all-time meeting between the two programs, with DU winning the first 5-0 on September 12, 1993.

Up Next

ORU will take the pitch next Friday at home as the Golden Eagles are scheduled to take on South Dakota at 7 p.m. at the Case Soccer Complex.