Broncho Soccer advances to the third round

The University of Central Oklahoma women’s soccer team defeated the Minnesota State UniversityMavericks 3-1 in Edmond on Sunday in the second round of the NCAA Division II Central Regional. The Bronchos advanced to 22-1 on the season, and the third round of the tournament.

This win marks the Bronchos sixth straight win since their only loss of the season to Northeastern State University on Oct. 26.

The Bronchos started by scoring a goal on the second minute. Asha Haile assisted Kelsi Eason, who scored from the top of the box.

Senior Katie Killion score her first goal of the day by beating a Maverick down the right side of the box and getting it past the goalie to put the Bronchos up 2-0.

In the 33rd minute, MSU scored their lone goal on a shot by Dakota Wendell, assisted by Bri Ciaccio to cut the Bronchos lead to one.

UCO finished with 15 shots, with seven of those coming on goal. MSU finished with 18 shots overall, with six coming on goal.

After halftime the teams took turns trading shots, with both goalies making defensive stands.

In the 84th minute, Central scored their final goal of the day, on a second goal by Killion, assisted by Haley Post. Killion’s second goal of the day was her 29th on the season, making her first in the NCAA Division II.

Killion finished the day with six shots, with three on target and two goals. Eason shot three times, with two on goal and one score.

Freshman Kelsi Gibson played all 90 minutes, allowing one goal and making five saves. Gibson now has 16 wins on the season at goalie.

“I’m proud of our girls for battling today,” said head coach Mike Cook. “It was a cold one and they came out and fought hard.”

The win on Sunday moved UCO to 22-1, which set an all-time school record for most wins in a season.

“They played good together and did what they needed to get the win,”Cook said. “They never gave up and that is what I pride them on.”

Grand Valley State University is the top seed in the Midwest Regional, and will host both the third and fourth rounds of the NCAA tournament. Grand Valley will play 3rd-seeded Ferris State University. If the Bronchos win their next match, they will see the winner of Grand Valley and Ferris State on Sunday, Nov. 18.

In the third round of the NCAA tournament, the Bronchos will take on University of Central Missouri in Grand Valley, Michigan on Nov. 16. UCO has played Central Missouri twice, and beaten them 2-0 earlier in the season, and 6-1 on Nov. 4.