After opening league play with 2-0 start for the first time since 2018, Ottawa hits the road for its biggest test of the young season on Wednesday, taking on no. 15 Oklahoma Wesleyan in a 5 p.m. kickoff.

The Matchup

Ottawa has not found much in the way of luck against Oklahoma Wesleyan as of late, winless in the last 10 matches between the teams. But if there is one bright spot for the Braves, it's that their last win against the Eagles came during the aforementioned 2018 season, a 1-0 road win.

Last Time Out

The Braves overcame a slow first half at Bethel, with Charlotte Gatehouse and Cennet Donahue finding goal for Ottawa. OU had the earlier chances in the match but was forced to chase the game after a 13th-minute goal by Malaysia Larque.

A sustained burst of possession led to a 64th-minute equalizer for Ottawa, before Laura Quijada connected with Donahue in the 84th for the gamewinner.

About Oklahoma Wesleyan University

The Eagles began the season ranked no. four in the NAIA Women's Soccer Coaches poll as well as no. 1 in the KCAC Women's Soccer Coaches poll, but went winless in their first three matches and 1-2-2 in non-conference play. Oklahoma Wesleyan has somewhat righted the ship, with back-to-back wins to open KCAC action against Evangel and Sterling, but the wins have barely forestalled the slide in the polls.

Ana Chaves leads the Eagles offensively with six goals on the year, while Isabelle Simoneau has added four.

In goal, Alessandra Martinez has seen the better part of action across OKWU's seven matches, with 315:00 on the year for a goals-against average of 1.14. Leona Kraus has played in 270:00 matches, with an average of 0.67 on the year, with each collecting a shutout.

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."