Salinas’ Hat-Trick Leads Drovers to Victory in the Battle of the Unbeatens

HASTINGS, Neb. – Saturday evening, the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (5-0-1, 0-0 SAC) remained unbeaten with an impressive 3-2 road-victory at No. 23 ranked Hastings College (3-1-1, 0-0 GPAC). The Drovers were propelled to victory by Daniela Salinas' incredible hat-trick performance. 

Saturday's game opened with 20 minutes of scoreless action, prior to Hastings striking first on a goal from Dekota Schubert. However, the lead was short-lived as USAO responded with a pair of goals over the next 15 minutes. Daniela Salinas scored her first goal of the goal in the 31^st minute, off an assist from Clara Rodriguez. Salinas scored her second goal only two minutes later to give USAO a 2-1 lead. The Drovers maintained the one-goal lead going into halftime.

Following the break, Hastings quickly evened the score at 2-2 with a goal in the 49^th minute. The score remained tied until the 75^th minute when Daniela Salinas completed her first career hat-trick with a header-goal off a corner-kick from Ilse de Jong. 

As a team, USAO attempted 16 shots, with 13 being on goal, while Hastings attempted eight shots, five of which were on target. The Drovers were whistled for seven fouls, while the Broncos committed 11infractions. 

Caitlin Bishop earned her second win of the season, stopping three of the five shots that came her way. 

The contest was also a reunion of sorts, as the Broncos are coached by Drover legend, Jade Ovendale. In 2015, Ovendale graduated from USAO with her Bachelors of Science in Physical Education and Recreation in 2015 with cum laude honors. In her time as a Drover, she scored 50 goals, dished out 17 assists, for 143 points. She was named to the NAIA Honorable Mention All-American team in 2014 following her 32-goal season. She was also named Sooner Athletic Conference Player and Offensive Player of the Year and Daktronics-NAIA Scholar Athlete. 

Following her senior year she was awarded The Bill and Pat Smith Scholar-Athlete Award.  The award, which is given to up to two USAO senior athletes — one male and one female — each year, is presented to those students who best embody the concept of a student-athlete and uphold high ideals in scholarship, citizenship and athletic competition.

Ovendale is in her fifth season as the head women's soccer coach leading the 2023 team to a regular conference championship and making it to the round of 16 at the final site down in Orange Beach, AL. Hastings finished with four first team all-conference members and two second team all-conference members.

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers will return to the pitch on Monday, September 9 as they travel to Ottawa University in Ottawa, Kan. Kick-off is scheduled for 2:00 PM CT at AdventHealth Field.

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