Drovers Come Up Short in SAC Championship Game at JBU; Await NAIA Selection Show on Nov. 16

SILOAM SPRINGS, Ark. – Monday night, the No. 21 ranked University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (17-2-1, 8-1 SAC) suffered a tough 6-2 loss in the Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament championship game at No. 19 ranked John Brown University (14-5-1, 8-1 SAC). Monday night marked the 10^th consecutive appearance in the championship game for the Drovers, and they have faced the Golden Eagles in each of the last five seasons.

The Drovers are the No. 2 seed in the tournament, after earning a share of the conference's regular season championship, meanwhile the Golden Eagles entered as the No. 1 seed. The regular season championship was the fifth in program history for the Drovers (2014, 2015, 2019, 2022, 2024).

On Monday, the Golden Eagles immediately took the lead, scoring only 40 seconds into the contest. JBU then extended the lead to 2-0 with another strike in the 23^rd minute, and USAO remained in a two-goal deficit for the remainder of the half. 

Following halftime, JBU quickly pushed their advantage to 3-0 with a rebound goal in the 50^th minute of regulation. 

10 minutes later, the Drovers finally got on the scoreboard and trimmed the deficit to 3-1 as Paula Casajus scored her ninth goal of the season, assisted by Chiara Schillinger. 

However, JBU reestablished a three-goal lead with a goal less than a minute later, prior to extending the lead to 5-1 in the 68^th minute.

Ilse de Jong cut the deficit to 5-2 in the 71^st minute with an incredible free-kick goal from outside the box, good for her 14^th of the season.

John Brown scored their sixth goal in the 79^th minute and held USAO scoreless for the rest of the contest.

As a team, USAO attempted 12 shots, with five being on goal, while JBU attempted 23 shots, 15 of which were on target. The Golden Eagles were whistled for four fouls, while the Drovers committed three infractions. USAO attempted three corner kicks and JBU had five attempts out of the offensive corners. 

Ashlyn Lonberg got the start between the pipes for USAO and stopped nine of the 15 shots she faced. Lonberg owns an incredible career win-loss record to 25-3-1.

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers now await the NAIA Selection Show to determine their postseason future, which will take place on November 16 at 1:00 PM CT on the Urban Edge Network. 

Previously, USAO has made seven NAIA National Tournament appearances.

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