CLAREMORE, Okla. — An offensive showcase in the second half from the Hillcats (2-5-6, 2-3-3 MIAA) secured a much-needed 3-1 victory over the Jets (1-12-2, 0-8-1 MIAA) on rainy Thursday night at Soldier Field.
The first half began with both the Hillcats and the Jets testing each other's defenses.
Delana King initiated early attempts for the Cats' with a shot in the fourth minute, though it went wide.
Calais Butts stood firm in goal, saving a crucial attempt from Newman's Trinity Perry in the 17th minute, maintaining the scoreline.
RSU continued to press forward with multiple shots from
Khari Carreno and
Kenzie Macklin around the midpoint of the half, but each attempt was thwarted by Newman's goalkeeper, Carla Apodaca. Despite a series of fouls from both sides, the Hillcats'
Courtney Castleberry and
Taylor Colmo managed shots on target late in the half, only to be denied by Apodaca. The half closed with the score tied at 0-0.
Rogers State began the second half with a firm hold on the game's tempo. In the 59th minute, Carreno (2) capitalized on an assist from Macklin to put the Hillcats on the scoreboard first. Although Newman quickly equalized with a goal from Emma Kolbe in the 73rd minute, RSU responded just a minute later when
Kelsey Hogan found the net with her first career goal, assisted by Castleberry, to regain the lead at 2-1.
The Hillcats continued to press the advantage, and
Hannah Schulze (1) extended the lead to 3-1 in the 84th minute with assistance from both Hogan and Castleberry. The half concluded with RSU maintaining control, leading to a 3-1 victory.
Butts recorded five saves over 90 minutes to secure the win. Hogan contributed both a goal and an assist, with her goal serving as the game-winner. Carreno and Schulze each found the back of the net once. Castleberry assisted twice, while Macklin added one of her own.
Apodaca stood out in goal with seven saves across two halves, facing 19 shots and conceding three goals. Kolbe contributed offensively with a goal from her two shots, both on target. Delphine Sosu was active in attack, leading the team with eight shots, two of which were on goal.
RSU women's soccer will return to Soldier Field on Sunday at 1 p.m. against the Central Oklahoma Bronchos. The Hillcats will honor their nine seniors prior to kickoff.
