WEATHERFORD, Okla. – A meeting of the top two offenses in the Great American Conference resulted in a 0-0 draw as Oklahoma Baptist wrapped up the regular season against Southwestern Oklahoma State in Weatherford on Saturday afternoon.
With a 9-0-3 record, Oklahoma Baptist becomes the first unbeaten GAC regular season champion since the Bulldogs in 2012. Their 30 points in the standings are the second-most by a GAC champion in conference history.
Despite outshooting SWOSU 16-8, OBU was unable to find a breakthrough during 90 minutes of regulation and 20 minutes of extra time. Kelsey Bumgarner had a chance to claim victory in the final seconds of the match, but her headed effort was saved by SWOSU goalkeeper Lexie Bates with just 34 seconds remaining in the second extra time period.
The Lady Bison did well to limit the top goalscorer in the nation, Alimata Rabo, to just four shots. Though all four shots were on-goal, Emily Griffith proved equal to the task each time, finishing with seven saves. The result earned OBU their eighth clean sheet of the year, tying the program record.
Oklahoma Baptist (14-1-3, 9-0-3 GAC) now shifts its focus to the postseason. The Lady Bison are set to host the GAC Women's Soccer Championships Nov. 2-4 at the OBU Soccer Complex, and enter their first season of Division II postseason play as the No. 1 seed in the conference tournament. Oklahoma Baptist will face No. 4 seed East Central on Nov. 2 at a time still to be determined, with a spot in the GAC Championship Final on the line.
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