SILOAM SPRINGS, Ark. - The 4th seeded Bethel University Lady Wildcats (RV) met No. 1 seeded AND 12TH ranked Oklahoma Wesleyan Thursday in Siloam Springs, Arkansas in the Siloam Springs Bracket of the NAIA Women's Soccer National Championship Opening Round.
Bethel gabbed an early lead on a goal by Ainhoa Chirvella Rancero 12 minutes in to the match. Eighteen minutes later the Eagles tied the game on a goal by Laura Maria. The teams went to the break knotted at 1-1.
Maria gave the Eagles the lead at the 25:52 mark of the second. Less than two minutes later OKWU's leading scorer, Marjolen Nekesa put the Eagles up 3-1. It was her 35th goal on the year. Daniela Ortiz would score later to make it a 4-1 final. The Eagle have outscored their opponents 94-17 on the season and will play the winner of the John Brown/ Baker (KS) match-up which will be played Thursday at 6 p.m.
The Eagles outshot Bethel 16-13 and a 10-5 advantage in shots on goal. Bethel's Shanay Ricketts recorded six saves in the match.
Bethel finished their season at 9-6-1 while OKWU moved to 18-2-0 on the year.
