PLAINVIEW, TX -- Wayland Baptist women's soccer showed heart and persistence on Tuesday afternoon, rallying from behind twice to secure a 2–2 draw with Oklahoma Panhandle State at home, securing their spot in the 2025 Sooner Athletic Conference Women's Soccer Championships.
Despite a slow first half, the Pioneers stormed back after halftime with a dominant offensive display that nearly delivered a comeback win. Wayland outshot OPSU 14–10 for the match, including a 12–2 advantage in the second half.
After trailing 1–0 at the break, the Pioneers found their rhythm in the 73rd minute.
Camila Zavala netted her third goal of the season to tie the score, finishing off a perfectly placed assist from
Elaina Barrientes following a corner kick sequence.
The Aggies briefly regained the lead in the 85th minute, but Wayland refused to quit. With the clock winding down, freshman
Talia Gisonni stepped up with a clutch goal in the 89th minute—her first of the season—to secure the 2–2 result.
Defensively, goalkeeper
Ashley Lopez made three key saves to keep the Pioneers within reach, while
Gabriella Chapa and Gisonni anchored a backline that limited OPSU to just two shots after halftime.
Zavala and Barrientes led the offensive push with a combined six shots on goal, as Wayland continually pressed the Aggies' defense in the closing minutes.
With the draw, Wayland moves to 5–9–1 overall and 2–6–1 in Sooner Athletic Conference play, while Oklahoma Panhandle State sits at 6–6–2 (3–4–2 SAC).
With the today's draw, the Pioneers locked up the 8-seed in the 2025 SAC Women's Soccer Championships, which will begin on Tuesday, November 4
th. The Pioneers opponent is still to be determined.
