
'We Are Going to Nationals'

Photo by: Ashley Alonzo
On Nov. 1, the Ottawa University women’s soccer team battled to get a 6-2 win over Friends University. This victory gave the Lady Braves an opportunity to win conference and an automatic bid to nationals.
During the whole season, the women’s soccer team worked hard with one goal in mind: going to nationals. The head coach, Mark Gordon, feels proud, satisfied and amazed with the work his team has done and the way each of the players has been supportive of one another.
As the Lady Braves entered the conference tournament on Nov. 4, Gordon believed that in order for the team to take first place, the players must continue to improve. Regardless of how technical the team is, there is always time and space for progress.
With a mix of returners and new players in the team, the chemistry between them has been surprisingly amazing. The players consider this to be relieving because this kind of support network is hard to build, having only spent a few months together. They were lucky to being able create this sense of teamwork from the very beginning.
Johana Moran, junior, a transfer from Fullerton College in Fullerton, CA, and captain of the women’s soccer team, feels very accomplished, citing the dedication every player has put in that led them to win conference.
“Being part of the soccer team has been a rewarding feeling because the hard work and perseverance we all have had as a team has been worth it,” Moran said. She added that the main aspect she looks forward to the rest of their journey to nationals is to see how much further the team could go. Because as a family and a team, the Lady Braves have the talent to compete at a higher level.
MacKenna Stang, a fifth-year athlete who went through a variety of surgeries, feels satisfied and glad on her decision of playing with the team for an extra year. The relationship they have built is something she will always remember.
“My favorite memory is just being able to play. It was hard having to sit out for three years straight. So overall, I’m simply just grateful to be healthy and playing with a wonderful group of woman” Stang said.
Winning the 2016 regular season is not the only accomplishment this team of talented women is striving for. They aim to be the number-one seed of the bracket to get to host their playoff game here at OU.
On Nov. 4, the Lady Braves bested Sterling University by putting five goals behind their net for quarter-finals. On Nov. 8, the team returned home to host the semi-finals against Oklahoma Wesleyan University, receiving a 3-2 win.
The Lady Braves will now play Kansas Wesleyan University on Nov. 11 to battle the tournament championship. Be there!
-- Ashley Alonzo is a junior forward on the Lady Braves soccer team.
Get Top Stories Delivered Weekly
More oucampus News Articles
- Diversity on OU Tennis
- Spring Season Overview
- Slamming in the Sand: Implementing Beach Volleyball
- Ottawa Cheer and Dance Transitions to a Recognized Sport
Recent oucampus News Articles
Discuss This Article
MOST POPULAR OUCAMPUS

Tips for Finding an Internship By Julia Gormley

Wait, That's Actually True? By Rodney Latham

How to Survive Stress During Finals Week By Jocelyn Ayala

Diversity on OU Tennis By Rodney Latham
GET TOP STORIES DELIVERED WEEKLY
FOLLOW OUR NEWSPAPER
LATEST OUCAMPUS NEWS
RECENT OUCAMPUS CLASSIFIEDS
OUTSIDE THE LINES
- Home-Brewed Coffee That's As Good As It Gets
- Stop What You're Doing And Download These Free...
- It's Good To Be Prepared For Bad Weather
- The ABCs Of IBD Treatments
- Become Credit Savvy And Help Better Protect Your Identity
- Teen Driving Tips: Five Ways To Stay Sane
- Increasing IBD Patient Participation In Clinical Trials
- Empowering The Energy Leaders Of The Future
- What To Binge Watch
- Hearing Loss Need Not Be A Struggle For All Involved
FROM AROUND THE WEB
- A Simple Test to See If You're Up to Installing Your Own...
- This Subscription Box Helps People Do Good and Feel Good
- MovoCash Embraces Culture of Community
- Gifts to Give on Administrative Professionals Day
- How to Defeat A Clog
- American Winemaking Family Continues with Next Generation
- Boat Insurance Basics May Help You Stay Afloat
- Life's Biggest Moments Take Center Stage in New UP TV Series
- Scuba Diving Brings Health, Hope to Injured And Disabled
- 6 Tips for Baby's Immune Development
COLLEGE PRESS RELEASES
- Cengage Partners with Phi Theta Kappa Foundation to Offer Free Cengage Unlimited Subscriptions to College Students
- THE POPPY WAR
- Cosmopolitan Roots: Keynote and Q&A with Dr. Kwame Anthony Appiah
- CENGAGE AND REDSHELF STRENGTHEN PARTNERSHIP WITH CENGAGE UNLIMITED, INCLUSIVE ACCESS
- 4 Reasons Why You Should be Working for Avid4 Adventure