SWOSU Collects Big Soccer Win

October 8, 2006

COMMERCE, TEXAS – Southwestern Oklahoma State University has officially put the Lone Star Conference heavyweights on notice thanks to a stunning 2-1 win over powerful Texas A&M-Commerce on the road Sunday.

Forward Jamie Hilterbran’s penalty kick goal in the game’s 86th minute provided the winning margin and touched off a wild celebration on SWOSU’s sideline. The victory over TAMC was SWOSU’s first-ever in 10 previous meetings between the two schools.

“We showed a lot of guts out there today. We knew this game was going to be physical and our players kept their cool and didn’t get rattled,” coach Joe Bradley said. “Jamie’s the person we want in those (penalty kick) situations and she delivered for us big time.”

The Bulldogs, now 6-6-1 on the year, have muscled themselves into the thick of the LSC soccer race and stand at 3-2 in league play. The win capped a wild weekend in which SWOSU dispatched of two top-level teams. SWOSU won earlier at Texas Woman’s by a score of 2-1.

SWOSU’s victory over TAMC seemed unlikely considering the lopsided stats. The Lions had 14 more shots than the Bulldogs and had 12 corner kicks to SWOSU’s one.

Still, the Bulldogs stayed with them toe-to-toe and never blinked.

SWOSU scored first when Chelsea Edwards took a pass into the box from Hilterbran and knocked home a 10-yard shot to give the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead in the 13th minute. The goal was Edwards fourth of the year and was Hilterbran’s team-leading fourth assist.

TAMC then tied it just before halftime when Ashley Osborne deflected a cross from Melissa DoRemus into the open net making the game 1-1.

The Lions continued to spray shots in the second -- some on target, others off --  at SWOSU goalkeeper Keli Bass but none found the back of the net.

Hilterbran’s game-winning penalty kick came after TAMC goal keeper Amber Ramos illegally tackled a SWOSU player while inside the box.

SWOSU’s next game is at home Friday against Eastern New Mexico. Start time is at 4 p.m.