WEATHERFORD, Okla. – Southwestern Oklahoma State secured the 2022 GAC Women's Soccer Championship title with a 2-0 win against Oklahoma Baptist at the SWOSU Athletic Complex. 

In the fifth finals meeting between the two schools, Sola Tsuruta gave the Bulldogs an early advantage when she converted penalty kick in the ninth minute.. She placed the ball into the top right corner of the net for her second goal of the season.

The Bulldogs defense again played an invaluable role in the win. The Bison attack found their way deep into the SWOSU side of the field many times during the game, but the backline stayed solid and clogged the box enough to keep the Bison out of the goal.

In the 80th minute, Micaella Swain added an insurance goal off of her right foot. The Bulldogs found running room in the middle of the field and a numbers advantage when Alimata Rabo found an open Kelsey Smith, who found an open Swain for the goal. 

In three meetings between the two schools this season. SWOSU outscored Oklahoma Baptist, 10-0. 

Tsuruta won the GAC Tournament Most Valuable Player award as well as making the All-GAC Tournament Team. Ashley Hughes, Rabo, Swain, and Laura Jorgensen joined her on the All-GAC Tournament Team for the Bulldogs.

Katie Fowler, Maddison Williams and Kaylee Swaner earned All-Tournament spot from the Bison along with Northwestern Oklahoma State's Rachel Brown and Kailani Kealoha plus Ouachita Baptist's Jaymee Dotson and Amerie Thomas

The win gave SWOSU its GAC Championship title in school history. The Bulldogs won in 2012, 2013, 2017 and 2019. The win propels SWOSU to the NCAA Championships with the league's automatic automatic bid. Their match site and first opponent in the tournament will be revealed on Monday, November 7.