ORU Women's Soccer Mired In First Losing Streak Of The Season

The Oral Roberts women's soccer team lost their second straight game for the first time this season as Southeastern Louisiana topped the Golden Eagles at the Case Soccer Complex on Sunday, 2-0.

The Lions took advantage of breakdowns in the Golden Eagle defense, netting goals in the 24th and 49th minutes of the match. Kerry McWhirter broke the scoreless tie in the first half, blasting the ball over a leading Helen Erb from about 35 yards out, and Jen Babcock put the icing on the cake, converting on a pass from Kayla Vera.

The loss drops the Golden Eagles fifth place in the conference with a 4-3 record, 10-6-2 overall, while the Lions clinched a conference tournament spot, currently sitting in a tie for third. ORU solidified their tournament hopes following their victory last Sunday afternoon at Nicholls State.

Coach Ryan Bush's squad closes the regular season on Friday evening in Conway, Ark., as they face Central Arkansas. The Sugar Bears of UCA, current seventh in the Southland Conference and a game behind McNeese State for the final tournament spot, will be playing for their postseason life, while the Golden Eagles look to move up in the conference standings.

In Sunday's match between the Golden Eagles and Lions, ORU had the advantage most of the contest, outshooting the visitors, 25-7. However, of their seven total shots, the Lions put five on goal. On a windy fall day in Tulsa, the Golden Eagles had six shots on goal with the wind in the second half.

Allison Hall led the Golden Eagles with three shots on goal, while Jennifer Abernathy, Megan Giles, Whitney Booth and Kayla Keller each added one. Abernathy, who just missed a scoring opportunity in the 28th minute with a shot off the cross bar, and Ashley Martin led all game participates with six total shots.

Recording the loss for the Golden Eagles between the posts was Erb, moving her record to 9-6-2. She sent back three Lion shots, while her counterpart for SLU, Lacey Bockhaus, picked up seven saves.