Pioneers throw scare into #21 Drovers

"What can you say about a game like that, but 'Wow!'"

That was Wayland Baptist women's soccer coach Shiloh Posey's reaction after his Pioneers threw a major scare into the University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma before ultimately falling to the 21^st-ranked Drovers on Tuesday at Hilliard Field, 2-1.

"Our ladies have been playing well the last several games, but I feel this is the best game they have played all year," Posey said. "We knew it was going to be a tough battle all day, but our ladies proved they were up to the task."

USAO (13-1-1, 8-0-0 Sooner Athletic Conference) – which secured at least a share of the conference title with the win – scored both of its goals in the final 8½ minutes, the first on a penalty kick and the game-winner on a header with 4½ minutes to play.

Those goals followed one by Wayland's Chloe Marmitt that put the Pioneers up 1-0 in the 60^th minute. Marmitt put in her third goal of the season – and second in the last two games – when Natalie Terry's corner wound up in a perfect spot on the ground in front of the Drovers' goal. Marmitt poked it in, and after almost 61 minutes of scoreless soccer the upset-minded Pioneers were on top.

"We started a little (slowly), but once we settled in we played really well," Posey said. "The goal we scored was one of the best of our season and was the product of hard work and good fortune. Natalie delivered a great ball from the corner, and Chloe was in the right place/right time."

After USAO went ahead, neither team got off another shot the rest of the way.

The win gave the Drovers at least a share of the SAC title, the fourth in USAO's history. It also extended the team's win streak to eight and unbeaten streak to 14. Over the last 14 games, USAO has outscored opponents a combined 55-9.

Wayland (4-6-4, 3-3-2 SAC) – which was looking to win its fourth straight game and beat USAO for just the fifth time in 25 meetings – more than held its own despite being outshot 24-8. The Pioneers' lone shot on-goal was Marmitt's score, while WBU keeper Kanade Morita logged eight saves, including at least three kick saves.

"Our entire team defended well, and the midfield linked us together on a consistent and productive basis," Posey said. "I couldn't be more proud of the effort, and the ladies can hold their heads up with pride after the effort they gave."

A win for Wayland would have given the Pioneers the inside track at the No. 4 seed – and a first-round game at home – in the upcoming SAC Tournament. The Pioneers could still finish tied for fourth with Mid-America Christian (5-9-2, 4-2-2), which edged Southwestern Christian on Tuesday, 1-0. For that to happen, Wayland must win its final regular-season game at Southwestern Christian (3-7-4, 1-5-2) on Saturday and hope MACU falls on the road against Oklahoma-Panhandle State (2-10-2, 1-5-2). (WBU and MACU played to a scoreless tie when the teams met Sept. 27 in Oklahoma City.)

"We have one more regular-season game and we plan to focus this week on what it will take to win," Posey said. "We aren't finished yet!

Before Tuesday's final regular-season home game, WBU recognized four seniors: Morita, Lindsey Martinez, Ajacia Mojica and Tobi McCoy.

"I want to thank the seniors and the multi-year commitment to the program that they have shown," Posey said. "They are such important parts of who we are as a team, and I wish them every success."