Redman’s Late Tally Keeps Perfect Record Alive
SILOAM SPRINGS, Ark. -- Sophomore Jastin Redman's second game-winner of the week came with exactly 10 minutes left in the match, redeeming a match of missed opportunities, and vaulted the John Brown University women's soccer team to a 1-0 win over Oklahoma Wesleyan on Friday (Sept. 2) evening at Alumni Field.
Exacting revenge after a difficult 1-0 loss at Wesleyan last season, the Golden Eagles (4-0-0) out-shot the visitors, who entered the 2016 season receiving votes in the NAIA Women's Soccer Coaches' Top-25 Poll, 11-5 through the first 45 minutes, but OKWU keeper Aryza Olague needed to make just two saves as John Brown continually missed the target throughout the first half.
In the 40th minute, Redman had a fine opportunity to place the Golden Eagles ahead when she attempted her first penalty kick of the season. Olague guessed correctly, and knocked aside the shot, keeping the match scoreless.
It was Redman's first-career missed regular season penalty kick chance.
Through the first 25 minutes of the second half, the hosts had already sent four shots Olague's way, but senior keeper Kristen Morency made her best save of the match four minutes later when McKenzie Dyer's blast from the right box destined for the left side of the goal found Morency's diving hands to preserve the scoreless draw.
Finally in the 81st minute, the Golden Eagles seized control of the ball deep in OKWU territory. Junior Samantha Webber tossed a throw in toward the end line, which was then flicked on by freshman Kristen Howell into the slot. All alone and running toward the goal with speed, Redman deposited her fourth goal of the season, giving assists to Howell and Weber.
The assist was Howell's first collegiate point after missing all of 2015 due to injury.
Seven minutes later, looking to pad the lead, freshman Katherine Haar had a glorious opportunity in the slot, but one-touched a shot just left of the far post.
Redman and sophomore Aspen Robinson trapped the ball in the corner of Wesleyan's own goal line through most of the final minute, keeping the visitors from mounting any sort of scoring opportunity in the final minutes of play.
Morency made a season-best five saves to preserve her second clean sheet of the season. Olague made four saves, taking the loss in OKWU's season opener. Wesleyan is now 0-1-0 on the year.
Armed with a perfect record, the Golden Eagles traverse to the Chicagoland area for the first time in four years and will face No. 20 Olivet Nazarene (Ill.) on Friday (Sept. 9) before taking on Concordia (Mich.) the following day. Both games will be played in Bourbonnais, Ill.
