SWOSU SHUTS OUT OKLAHOMA BAPTIST TO CLAIM #theGAC WOMEN'S SOCCER TITLE
By: Eric Moyer, GAC Communications
WEATHERFORD, Okla. – Southwestern Oklahoma State won its fourth Great American Conference Women’s Soccer Championship title as the Bulldogs defeated Oklahoma Baptist, 2-0, on Saturday from the SWOSU Athletic Complex. Sandra Nabweteme captured Tournament MVP honors.
Nabweteme, the unanimous selection as the league’s Offensive Player of the Year put the Bulldogs (13-4-3) in front with a delicate tap past Bison goalkeeper Emily Griffith in the 29th minute. The goal, her second of the Championships and 22nd of the season came off of a pass from Hannah Dahl.
The Bulldogs maintained the one-goal advantage until the 59th minute. Dahl served up a free kick towards the Bison net that GAC Freshman of the Year Brenna McGuirk corralled and deposited into the net for her 10th goal of the season.
SWOSU’s defense kept the Bison (11-7-2) at bay and recorded its seventh shutout of the season as well as the first shutout in the GAC Championship final since 2014 when Ouachita defeated Southern Nazarene. Goalkeeper Kirstyn Dill made seven saves on Saturday and totaled 10 for the weekend. She recorded a .909 save percentage during the Championships.
In addition to Nabweteme, Dill, and Dahl, Elizabeth Moreno and Claire Torry represented the Bulldogs on the All-Tournament Team. Hannah White, Reagan Mann, Tori Kitchel and Kelsi Mensen made the team from the Bison while Harding’s Nicole Morgan and Parker Smitherman plus Ouachita’s Jaymee Dotson and Erin Webster filled out the team.
The Bulldogs claimed the GAC’s automatic bid to the NCAA Division II National Tournament. They will make their third appearance, having previously qualified in 2012 and 2017. The Bulldogs will learn their postseason fate on Monday evening at 5:00 p.m. during the selection show on NCAA.com.