The Braves hit the road for a three-match swing, with a Saturday brunch kickoff against Bethel first on tap. Ottawa began the KCAC slate with a win for the first time since 2021, with Lily Martin and Charlotte Gatehouse giving OU a 2-1 win.

The Matchup

Ottawa is currently on a 12-match unbeaten streak against the Threshers, and has a dominant 22-7-2 overall record in the series. There have been an astonishing 20 shutouts across the 31 matches, all resulting in wins. Ottawa is 15-5 in clean sheet contests, with four of those losses coming in the first three years of the program as the Braves lost five straight to Bethel.

The Braves have twice hung eight goals on Bethel, winning 8-0 in 2016 and 2017.

Last Time Out

Ottawa dominated possession through the first half and found goals on both sides of halftime. Lily Martin found net in an unconventional fashion, body-checking the ball into the net between three Spire defenders on a corner kick by Rylee Ringer in the 34th minute. Laura Quijada found Charlotte Gatehouse after a midfield turnover for what would prove to be the gamewinner in the 75th minute, as Ottawa was whistled for a penalty kick in the 85th.

About University of Saint Mary

After opening 2026 with a 3-1 win over Central Christian College, Bethel has been searching for both goals and wins, dropping three straight shutout losses - 1-0 to Northwestern (Iowa), 7-0 to Paul Quinn College and 6-0 to Kansas Wesleyan to open the KCAC schedule. The Threshers posted a record of 4-10-4 (4-7-2 KCAC) in 2025, but return their leading goalscorer in Malaysia Larque for 2026.

Harley Inskeep has seen the bulk of action in goal for the Threshers, with 225:00 spread across three appearances (two starts) on the year. She's posted a goals-against average of 1.20 with a save percentage of 0.727. Cadence McMenamy (6.57 GAA, 0.550 sv pct.) has also seen solid time on the year, clocking 123:14, with Katy Stutsman picking up the final 11:46.

Welcome (Back) Home

After playing the past several seasons at AdventHealth Field, Ottawa returns to the Dick Peters Sports Complex for the 2026 season.

"We are excited to be returning home to Dick Peters Sports Complex," said head coach James Cottage. "Playing on a soccer specific field, a field that is longer and wider, it will really match what we're trying to achieve. We want to play with fast wingers that can get into one on one opportunities, but this field will help defenders as well."

In addition to the benefits for the team, the fan experience is also expected to be improved with the move to Peters.

"With the move, fans can be closer to the field and really get up close and be that extra bit of support for our team," added Cottage. "I want to make it feel like a home, a place where teams look at it and go 'Oh, we've got to go to Ottawa. We have to play on that big field and it's going to be a mess.' That's what we're looking for."