STERLING, Kan. – The Ottawa University women's soccer team earned their first win of the season with a 4-1 road win over the Sterling Warriors on Wednesday afternoon. The victory also marked head coach Candice Fabry's first win as head coach of the Ottawa women's soccer program.
Ottawa started the game full throttle, with several quality chances in the opening 20 minutes that forced three saves from Sterling's goalkeeper Shaylee Gibbs. Gibbs would be busy throughout the contest, making 19 saves in the game on 23 shots on goal for the Braves. Ottawa kept up the pressure, and delivered the game's opening goal in the 23rd minute from Nathalie Merts. Kamyn Brane found Merts open on the flank, who then dribbled outside the box and sent in a 20 yard shot past the Warriors goalie to take a 1-0 lead.
The Braves would double their lead just over a minute later when Jaycie Campbell connected with Shaylee Miacolo on a give and go, and Miacolo snuck the ball in near post for OU's second goal. The Warriors would fight back, getting a goal of their own in the 27th minute to cut Ottawa's lead to 2-1. That's as close as the Warriors would get, as Ottawa scored another goal in the 37th minute from Josie Goodpasture assisted by Jacqueline Martinez.
Ottawa headed into halftime up 3-1 and cruised in an otherwise uneventful second half. The Braves held the Warriors scoreless and would tack on one more goal from Alondra Carbajal-Pettry in the 87th minute to seal the 4-1 victory.
From Coach Fabry:
"The staff is proud of the work this team is putting in, becoming more cohesive in their play on the field. Today, we showcased some of those pieces in the final third that have been missing the last few matches. We are happy for this group to earn their first win of the season, but we need to keep up the hard work and not stop here."
Up Next: The Braves travel to Leavenworth, Kan. on Saturday for a 1 p.m. matchup against the Saint Mary Spires.
