Tweet #theGAC  SEARCY, Ark. - The Ouachita women's soccer team advanced to the Great American Conference Championship with a 2-0 shutout win Friday over Southwestern Oklahoma State at the Stevens Soccer Complex.

The Tigers scored in the fifth minute and never let the Bulldogs settle in. Junior forward Reese Brown worked her way down the left side and sent a crosser inside the box, which clipped off the foot of sophomore McKenna Wright. The ball redirected into a perfect spot for junior midfielder Lennon Porter, who pounced on it and scored from point-blank range to give Ouachita a 1–0 lead just 4:37 into the match.

The Tigers controlled the pace in the first half, but the Bulldogs made a late surge down the stretch. Despite SWOSU threatening in the danger zone and having a 15–10 edge in total shots, Ouachita's back line never surrendered.

Sophomore goalkeeper Taylor Hapgood finished with six saves, including three in the final 15 minutes as the Bulldogs (11-5-3) pushed numbers forward in desperation to keep their season alive. The Tigers absorbed 11 second-half shots, closing down angles and blocking attempts to preserve their third shutout in the last four matches.

Brown continued to be the catalyst in the second half and her pressure helped seal the match. In the 66th minute, Brown fired a strike that forced SWOSU goalkeeper Emma Young to deny the shot on goal, but the rebound spilled into traffic and junior midfielder Madi Vana darted onto the loose ball and buried it for her seventh goal of the season, stretching the Tigers' lead to 2–0. Vana was named GAC Midfielder of the Year on Thursday night and increased her team-lead to seven goals this season.

With the victory, Ouachita (8-6-5) advances to Sunday's championship showdown for an opportunity to three-peat against tournament-host Harding.