Casajus and Davison Lead #20 USAO to 7-0 Shutout Against SCU

CHICKASHA, Okla. – Saturday night, the No. 20 ranked University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (10-2-5, 5-0-3 SAC) celebrated their senior class in style as they extended their unbeaten streak to 13 games with a dominant 7-0 shutout-win against Southwestern Christian University (11-4-1, 4-4 SAC). In head-to-head matchups, the Drovers are 17-1 against the Eagles in the all-time series, dating to October 2013. Furthermore, USAO has won each of the last 12 meetings against SCU.

Saturday's contest opened with 20 minutes of scoreless action, prior to the floodgates opening. USAO scored four goals in the next 10 minutes of action, two apiece from Paula Casajus and Ashlee Davison. Davison made a break towards the box and found Casajus wide open in front of the net for the first goal in the 20^th minute. Davison struck for her first goal of the game in the 22^nd minute, assisted by Daniela Salinas. Casajus scored her second goal of the half in the 27^th minute, assisted by Agnes Aas. Three minutes later, Davison scored her second goal, with a helper from Casajus. The Drovers maintained the four-goal advantage going into the break.

Following halftime, Paula Casajus completed her second hat-trick of the season in the 48^th minute, once against assisted by Agnes Aas. The Drovers then added to the lead with back-to-back headers. Daniela Salinas scored her fourth goal of the season in the 62^nd minute, courtesy of a beautiful cross from Katie O'Keefe. One minute later, Dagbjort Gudmundsdottir used her head for her ninth goal of the season, off a cross from Paula Casajus.

The Drovers preserved their ninth clean-sheet of the season and secured their 12^th consecutive 10-win season.

As a team, USAO attempted a total of 22 shots, with 14 being on goal, while SCU attempted nine shots, five of which were on frame. The Drovers were whistled for five fouls, and the Eagles were flagged for nine infractions. Southwestern Christian had two corner-kicks, in comparison to USAO's seven attempts out of the offensive corners.

Paula Casajus concluded her incredible performance with three goals and a pair of assists, for a total of eight points. This season, Casajus has recorded 11 goals and four assists for 26 points. She ranks third in the Sooner Athletic Conference in goals and fourth in points.

Ashlee Davison concluded with two goals and an assist to increase her totals to six goals, seven assists, and 19 points so far. Davison is one of the best playmakers in the conference, ranking second in assists.

Ashlyn Lonberg got the start between the pipes for USAO and claimed the 16^th shutout of her career and improved her record to 35-5-6. Amongst her SAC peers, she ranks third in save percentage (.810) and goals against average (0.76).

With one game remaining in the regular season, the Drovers currently sit in second place in the Sooner Athletic Conference standings with a 5-0-3 record in conference play.

At the conclusion of the regular season, the top eight teams qualify for the SAC Tournament, with the top four teams hosting quarterfinal matchups on Nov. 5. The highest remaining seeds will host for the semifinals and finals.

USAO has appeared in the last 10 SAC Tournament Championship games, including each of the last five coming against John Brown University. In total, the Drovers have claimed seven tournament championships in program history (2001, 2002, 2011, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019).

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers will conclude the regular season on Tuesday, Oct. 28 as they travel to Nelson University. Kick-off is scheduled for 5:0 PM CT in Waxahachie, Texas.

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