Drovers Shutout the Stars to Advance to 11th Consecutive SAC Tournament Championship Game

CHICKASHA, Okla. – Saturday night, the No. 2 seeded University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (13-2-5, 6-0-3 SAC) advanced to their 11^th consecutive SAC Tournament championship game with an impressive 3-0 shutout against No. 3 seed Oklahoma City University (14-3-2, 6-2-1 SAC). It is the second time this season that USAO has defeated the Stars, and they improve to 17-19-1 against the OCU all-time, dating to September 2001. Furthermore, USAO has won 10 of the last 11 meetings between the rivals.

The shutout is the fifth in a row for USAO, and their 12^th of the season, which is the second most in a season in program history. The Drovers produced 13 clean sheets in 2019, followed by 11 in 2021.

The Drovers have not conceded a goal in their last 463 minutes of game time, and it is the second time this season that USAO has held opponents scoreless for five consecutive contests.

On Saturday, the Stars looked like the more motivated team in the opening minutes, but the Drovers found their traction and managed to claim the lead in the 22^nd minute as Dagbjort Gudmundsdottir scored on a long shot from the far corner of the box, for her 12^th goal of the season. The Icelander has been especially impressive as of late, scoring seven goals in the last six games.

Only six minutes later, Emali Goulas doubled USAO's lead with a penalty-kick goal. It was Goulas' fourth goal of the season and the second game in a row that she has found the back of the net.  The Drovers held strong for the remainder of the half and took a two-goal lead into the break. 

Following halftime, the Drovers needed only eight minutes to stretch the lead to 3-0 as Ilse de Jong scored on a corner-kick, for her 10^th goal of the season. USAO maintained possession of the ball for majority of the second half and held the Stars scoreless the rest of the way.

As a team, USAO attempted a total of 11 shots, with nine being on goal, while Oklahoma City attempted 11 shots, five of which were on frame. The Drovers were whistled for five fouls, and the Stars were flagged for 12 infractions. OCU had four corner-kicks, in comparison to USAO's three attempts out of the offensive corners. 

Ashlyn Lonberg got the start between the pipes for USAO and set a new program record with her 11^th shutout of the season by stopping all five shots she faced. Additionally, the shutout was the 19^th of her career and improved her record to 38-5-6. 

Amongst her SAC peers, Lonberg ranks second in save percentage (.840) and third in goals against average (0.64).

USAO's strength of schedule has been very impressive this season, producing a 4-2-4 record against opponents that are ranked or receiving votes in the NAIA Coaches' Top 25 Poll, including wins against No. 7 College of Idaho, RV Oklahoma City x2 , and RV Columbia. Losses against No. 22 MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.) and RV Hastings (Neb.). The Drovers earned ties against No. 8 Embry-Riddle (Ariz.), No. 11 John Brown (Ark.), RV Mid-America Christian, and RV Concordia (Neb.).

The Drovers' strength of schedule ranks 6th in the NAIA and they rank 10th in RPI.

WHAT'S NEXT?

The No. 2 seed Drovers advance to their 11^th consecutive SAC Tournament championship game and seek their eighth tournament crown as they travel to No. 1 John Brown University on Wednesday, Nov. 12. Kick-off is scheduled for 6:00 PM CT at Alumni Field in Siloam Springs, Ark. 

The Drovers and the Golden Eagles have met in each of the last previous five championship games. When they met earlier this season, the rivals concluded in a 1-1 draw at McLaughlin Field. 

In total, the Drovers have claimed seven tournament championships in program history (2001, 2002, 2011, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019).

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