Women soccer earns trip to ASC tournament

A 3-0 victory over the University of the Ozarks on Saturday sent the Patriots to the American Southwest Conference tournament as the #2 seed behind Hardin-Simmons.

The Patriots failed to score in the first half, but did not waste much time in the second. Lauren Thomas scored in the 51st minute on a cross pass from Leah Solomon.

Thomas leads the team with nine goals this season. Kendall Kramer scored the Patriots’ second goal in minute 76. Solomon scored the final goal 13 seconds later. Emily Bechdol recorded the assist on Kramer and Solomon's goals.Ozarks took only one shot during the match. Patriot goalkeeper Sam Fraser played all 90 minutes to record her fourth shutout of the season.

The Patriots finish the regular season 12-4, with a conference record of 10-2. The Patriots’ second conference loss came Thursday night in Richardson against UT Dallas.

Lauren Thomas scored in the 6th minute to put the Patriots ahead early. The Comets, however, score the equalizer three minutes later. Cassie Lydick knocked in a header off Brittany Anselís free kick.

The score remained 1-1 for the remainder of regulation. In second overtime, 101st minute of game, Emily George 30 yard shot found the net to give the Comets their sixth conference win.

The Patriots received a first round bye at the conference tournament in Abilene and play at 2 p.m. Saturday. They face the winner of Mississippi College and UT Dallas, who play Friday afternoon. Mary Hardin-Baylor and East Texas Baptist play at 11 a.m. Friday. The winner faces Hardin-Simmons on Saturday.

The ASC championship game is set to begin at 1 p.m. Sunday. The host, Hardin-Simmons, is looking for their seventh consecutive conference championship. The Cowgirls have won 11 of the past 13 conference tournaments, and have advanced to the NCAA tournament eight of the past 10 years.