de Jong’s Hat-Trick Highlights Big Win for #22 USAO

CHICKASHA, Okla. – Saturday afternoon, the No. 22 ranked University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (5-2-2, 0-0 SAC) extended their shutout streak to five with a dominant 13-0 victory against Stephens College (1-7-1, 0-0 AMC).

The Drovers wasted no time to claim the first lead of the contest, as Dagbjort Gudmundsdottir scored her first goal of the game in the third minute, assisted by Daniela Salinas. Paula Casajus extended the lead to 2-0 in the 13^th minute, off an assist from Gudmundsdottir. Ilse de Jong scored her first goal of the game in the 30^th minute, prior to Emali Goulas scoring USAO's final goal of the first half in the 41^st minute.

Following halftime, the Drovers needed only two minutes to stretch the lead to 5-0 as Casajus scored her second of the game, assisted by Ashlee Davison. Ilse de Jong struck for her second of the game in the 50^th minute, prior to Ashlee Davison scoring two minutes later to extend the advantage to 7-0.

Ilse de Jong completed the hat-trick with her seventh goal of the season in the 53^rd minute. Gudmundsdottir added her second goal of the game in the 57^th minute.

Aleigha Prince scored back-to-back goals in the 78^th and 80^th minutes of the game, with assists coming from Lova Nilsson (x2) and Yazmin Baird-Watson.

Ashlee Davison scored her second of the game in the 81^st minute, prior to the 13^th and final goal, coming off the foot of Chloe Timms in the 86^th minute, set up by Melissa Haunpo.

As a team, USAO attempted a total of 41 shots, with 26 being on goal, while Stephens attempted only six shots, four of which were on target. The Stars were whistled for seven fouls, while the Drovers committed 10 infractions. SC had zero corner-kicks, in comparison to USAO's six attempts out of the offensive corners. 

Cato Hilgenkamp made her first career start at USAO, stopping all three shots she faces in the opening 74 minutes of the game. Rosa Lucia Forero made one save over the final 15 minutes to preserve the clean-sheet.

In Saturday's win, USAO's stellar defense stretched their shutout streak to five games, and a staggering total of 499 minutes. Furthermore, three of the five shutouts have come against nationally ranked opponents (No. 5 College of Idaho, No. 12 Embry-Riddle, RV Columbia). During the shutout streak, USAO has outscored opponents 16-0.

USAO's strength of schedule is very impressive this season, and seven of their opening 10 matchups are against opponents that are ranked or receiving votes in the NAIA Coaches' Top 25 Poll. Thus far, they are 5-2-2 overall with wins against No. 5 College of Idaho, RV Columbia, LSU Shreveport, Southwestern (Kan.), Stephens College (Mo.), and losses against No. 20 MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.) and RV Hastings (Neb.). The Drovers earned a pair of ties against No. 12 Embry-Riddle and RV Concordia (Neb.). 

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers will open conference play on Saturday, Sept. 27 as they host a top 25 showdown against No. 6 John Brown University. Kick-off is scheduled for 4:00 PM CT at McLaughlin Field. 

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