Posey demands mental focus for SAC Tournament home match

The Wayland Baptist women's soccer program will host a Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament first-round match for only the second time in school history when the Pioneers take on the Mid-America Christian Lady Evangels at 7 p.m. Saturday at Hilliard Field.
 
Coach Shiloh Posey believes his team will win…if they stick to the formula.
 
"We talked about this moment and having mental focus," Posey said. "Our girls are ready for Saturday night."
 
This game is a rematch of an Oct. 10 bout in Plainview that finished in a 1-1 draw. Senior Jessica Bell scored the only goal for the Pioneers, assisted by senior Jodian Morris, in the 17^th-minute to give Wayland an early lead. The Evangels scored soon after in the 25^th-minute on a goal by junior Cici Mitchell.
 
With the same settings in place again on Saturday, the WBU women are looking for a different outcome.
 
"They're a good, solid and athletic program," Posey said of MACU. "We don't want to leave the result of this match to chance."
 
This is the first time the Pioneers have hosted a playoff match since 2013, the school's winningest season (13-6-1) in story. That year, Wayland defeated the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma, 1-0.
 
The Pioneers are riding a two-match win streak, having defeated the then-No. 23 Oklahoma City Stars, 1-0, and the Southwestern Christian Eagles (Okla.), 4-0.
 
Heading into Saturday's match, Posey still is preaching the same strategy to make sure his players stay on page.
 
"It's what every coach hopes for," he said. "We're going to continue to practice and stress the points we do well. We can't deviate from what we do well."
 
The Lady Evangels are riding a two-game win streak as well, also defeating Southwestern Christian, 4-3, as well as the St. Gregory's Cavaliers, 2-0.
 
Posey wants his players to keep their concentration and effort at a high level and, more than anything, to play up to their standards.
 
 "If we play like we can and do what we're supposed to, then the chances are good that we will move on," he said.
 
The winner will face either No. 1 seed USAO or No. 8 seed Southwestern Christian on Nov. 10 at the home of the highest seed. Semifinal winners square off in the championship on Friday, Nov. 13, again at the site of the highest seed.
 
The SAC Tournament winner receives an automatic bid to the NAIA Championship Tournament in Orange Beach, Ala.
 
SAC WOMEN'S TOURNAMENT
Saturday, Nov. 7 –Quarterfinals (All times are set by the host institution)
(8) Southwestern Christian (2-7, 8-9-1) at (1) Science and Arts of Oklahoma (8-1, 10-5-2), 7 p.m.
(5) Mid-America Christian (5-3-1, 8-7-1) at (4) Wayland Baptist (5-2-2, 6-6-3), 7 p.m.
(6) Texas Wesleyan (4-4-1, 9-6-1) at (3) John Brown (7-1-1, 11-4-1), 5:30 p.m.
(7) Southwestern Assemblies of God (3-6, 9-9) at (2) Oklahoma City (7-1-1, 10-5-2), 4 p.m.
Note: OCU finishes as No. 2 seed over JBU by virtue of second tiebreaker. Both teams tied in their head to-head-match. OCU receives No. 2 seed by having a higher goal differential in SAC Games (+22) to JBU's (15).
Tuesday, Nov. 10 – Semifinals
Southwestern Christian/USAO winner vs. Mid-America Christian/Wayland Baptist winner
Texas Wesleyan/John Brown winner vs. Southwestern Assemblies/Oklahoma City winner
(Games played at highest remaining seed)
Friday, Nov. 13 – Championship
(Games played at highest remaining seed)