Box Score OKLAHOMA CITY – The focus going into the Wayland Baptist women's soccer team's Sooner Athletic Conference opener against No. 18 Oklahoma City was mental toughness and offense. The Pioneers accomplished both in their 1-0 win over the Stars on Saturday evening.
It didn't take long for Wayland (1-6-1, 1-0) to end a four-game scoring drought Saturday.
Cerila Zamarippa scored her first goal of the season just 57 seconds into the match to give WBU its first lead of the season.
Kendall Fraley played the ball through to Zamarippa who put the ball past the keeper from inside the box.
"Kendall played a nice ball to Cerila who stayed calm and made a nice finish," head coach
Shiloh Posey said.
Zamarippa's goal ended a 382-minute stretch in which the Pioneers failed to put any points on the board.
Playing with a lead was new territory for the Pioneers, and Oklahoma City (5-1, 0-1) had yet to trail so far this season.
The Stars fought hard to even the score, outshooting WBU 12 to 11, but Wayland was determined to walk away with a win under its belt.
"I'm really pleased with how we played today," Posey said. "The girls never quit. They continued to play calm and collected, and they worked their tails off against a really quality Oklahoma City team."
With a grueling schedule, the Pioneers have had some tough luck so far this season, but the pieces finally fell into place Saturday.
"We could have just put our heads down and felt sorry for ourselves after what happened during our preconference schedule, but the girls came out and played hard, capitalized on an opportunity and played great defense to finish off the opponent," Posey said. "The preseason schedule was so tough so that we would be prepared for games like today.
"Everybody participated tonight, whether they were on the field or not, to help us get this win."
In addition to Zamarippa's goal,
Bailey Stengler, Wayland's keeper, played a major role in the Pioneer's win.
Stengler, a sophomore from St. Charles, Ill., recorded five saves, including two crucial plays at the end of the match.
With two and a half minutes remaining, OCU's Britani Soesbee got a shot off just 10 yards from the goal, but Stengler slid over to deflect the ball so that the Pioneers could clear it. Stengler also made a nice play on a ball from the Stars' keeper who took a shot from about 35 yards out with five seconds remaining after a foul was called on Wayland.
In Wayland's case, thirteen was the lucky number as the Pioneers picked up their first win over Oklahoma City in program history, ending a 12-game losing streak.
"I just want to say congratulations to the girls for getting this win, especially for the girls who have been here four years," Posey beamed. "Today was their day."
The Pioneers can finally carry some momentum into their next match, and they'll need it as they take on Science and Arts of Oklahoma (9-0, 0-0) at 5 p.m. Tuesday in
Plainview. The Drovers are ranked the equivalent of 26
th in the latest NAIA Coaches' Top-25 Poll.
"We're going to enjoy this win on the ride home, take a day off on Sunday, have a short day Monday, then get ready to play Tuesday against another great team," Posey said.
