(September 18, 2024) Enid, Oklahoma - After a draw last week with Murray State and an off date from region play, the ladies hit the road for their longest trip of the season to take on NOC-Enid. Before the match, both teams entered the contest 2-1-1 in region play. The match could play a vital part in the Region II Tournament seedings later in October.

 

After a long bus drive, it was always going to be a tough challenge for the ladies to start the game on the front foot. As a result, UARM concentrated on their team shape as they took their time to get used to the tempo of the game. They made sure the midfield was condensed to limit time and space to NOC. The game plan became even more complicated when the Bucks lost Carla Todd (Lochgilphead, United Kingdom) to injury in the first 5 minutes of the game.

 

Just like a chess game, both teams were prodding and probing to test each other out with both teams looking for weaknesses to take advantage of. It was soon very clear that neither team had a weakness for the other team to take advantage of, so the first half played itself out with a strong wind blowing down the field towards the UARM goal. Despite playing against the wind, UARM created the best scoring chances of the half with Audrey Jordan (Shreveport, LA) and Emma Marie Hinkebein (McKinney, TX) going close with shots just missing the NOC goal.

 

In the second half, UARM had the wind behind them, and they tried in vain to dominate the midfield so to create shooting chances with the wind helping. UARM struggled to break down a stubborn NOC midfield, but eventually, they got their chances. In the 69th minute, Jasmin Bislev Nielsen (Aabybro, Denmark) played in Jordan, but she was unable to beat the advancing goalkeeper 1v1. NOC created very good attacking situations also during this period of the gam,e but UARM rode their luck and survived. The game was starting to look more like a basketball game with the ball going from one end to the other, and UARM had some great looks at goal. Audrey Jordan beat two defenders on the edge of the penalty box but hit her shot straight at the goal keeper. After a cleared corner kick, soon followed by a tremendous opportunity for Nielsen, who was found with a pass by Jordan right in front of the goal. As the keeper advanced on Nielsen, she shot just wide of the goal which proved to be the last big attacking move of the game to end it as a 0-0 tie.

 

Goalkeepr Mac Dellinger (Little Rock, AR) recorded 7 saves in the contest to get the clean sheet. The ladies attempted 8 shots on the day with 2 being on frame. 

 

The ladies overall record now comes to 5-1-2 with a region record of 2-1-2. The Bucks currently sit tied for third in the Region II rankings with Northern Oklahoma. 

 

Coach Kevin Sherry was pleased with his women's team after a long day. "A point on the road is always a good point. We did have chances to score and take the win, but to be fair, so did NOC. This is a valuable point towards our end of season goal of reaching post season play." 

 

The ladies will return home on Sunday for a match with Connors State College. Kickoff for the ladies is scheduled for 4 pm at Tapley Park.