Defense Powers UCO to Win

The University of Central Oklahoma Bronchos remain undefeated after shutting out their eighth opponent of the season in Nebraska on Sunday against the Nebraska-Kearney Lopers.

UCO is 10-0 this season and 3-0 in conference play, which has set the school record for the best start in the history of UCO soccer.

They shutout their eighth opponent this season in ten games and recorded their second shutout in a row. They shot 20 times, with 15 of those shots on goal, and held the Lopers to two shots, neither of which were on goal.

The Broncho defense did their job, as the goalkeepers made zero saves.

“Shutouts and not giving up many shots on goal is a team effort and a mental focus we have been preaching since last spring,” said head coach Mike Cook. “We feel if we don’t give up goals, we are definitely explosive enough to score at least one goal and win games.”

The Bronchos got off to a slow start, with only one goal in the first half. The goal was near the seven- minute mark by Katie Killion off a turnover in the box, giving her 10 goals for the season.

“Sunday games in general are usually a little tougher to get going mentally, especially on the road,” Cook said. “We challenged them to raise the effort, focus and consistency and finish our chances.”

Two minutes into the second half Asha Haile scored from the left off of a Killion assist for her fifth goal of the season. Less than ten minutes later, Killion scored again for her second on the day off of an assist by Taryn Kedzior.

Shortly after, Killion scored again off of a rebound shot to get her second hat trick of the season and third of her college career.

“Katie is a leader and always gives 100 percent, so when she put a couple more away and created some more chances in the second half, it really helped everyone pick up the intensity and urgency to put the game away,” Cook said.

The final goal was scored by Morgan Cherry, assisted by Camille Greer, from 15 yards out on the right for her fifth on the season.

The Bronchos will try to remain undefeated this Friday when they face off against Linwood University at 5 p.m. at Tom Thompson Field.