ORU Women's Soccer Records Shutout Win Over Northwestern State

It doesn't matter how you start, but how you finish.

That was the theme on Friday evening for the Oral Roberts women's soccer team as they scored three goals in the final nine minutes of play to top Northwestern State (La.) at home, 3-0.

ORU keeper Helen Erb recorded her seventh shutout of the season, and improved her record between the posts to 6-4-2, picking up four saves in the match.

The three Golden Eagle goals were highlighted by a pair by junior Jennifer Abernathy with just over a minute of game action coming off the clock between the two. Her first goal came with 3:30 remaining and the Golden Eagles already leading 1-0, as she put the ball in the back of the net off a pass Megan Giles.

The assist by Giles was the third point of the match as she picked up the game winning goal in the 82nd minute that broke the scoreless deadlock. Giles took a cross from Mariah Morgan, catching the Lady Demon keeper Brooke Bourbonais out of position, for the open shot and goal.

Abernathy put the final touches on the match for ORU with 2:16 remaining. Just like the first goal by Giles, Lauren Parks placed a touch pass in front of Abernathy in the box, leaving her open for what would essentially be an empty net goal when Bourbonais miss played the ball.

Abernathy was too much for the Lady Demon back line all evening, leading the Golden Eagles with eight of their 26 shots, including six on goal. Ashley Martin, Shelbi Lousch, Allison Hall each had three shots and Kayla Keller, Tatum Lynn and Parks all took two shots.

Also getting in on the offensive action was Whitney Booth and Jordan Parsons adding a shot each.

Theresa Halle led the Lady Demons with three shots, two on goal, while Ashlee Savona took two shots and Taylor Mulnix added one. Bourbonais picked up eight saves in the loss for the Lady Demons.

Up next for the Golden Eagles (7-4-2, 1-1) is a Sunday afternoon conference showdown with Sam Houston State at home beginning at 1 p.m. SHSU (5-7-1, 2-0-1) finished in a scoreless draw on Friday evening at Southeastern Louisiana