DENTON, Texas (Sept. 10, 2022) – Sophomore Abby Powers rocketed a header into the left corner of the net off a cross by Rayne Islas to score her first career goal as a Pioneer, but the Texas Woman's soccer team fell 2-1 to Ouachita Baptist on Saturday afternoon.
 
TWU (0-4-1) controlled the offensive attack for a majority of the match, possessing the ball in their attacking half of the field for a significant percentage of the match; nevertheless, OBU (3-3) managed to hold off the pressure from the Pioneers.
 
The Tigers struck first early in the fifth minute of action to take an early 1-0 lead.
 
After threatening OBU's keeper on numerous occasions, TWU finally broke through with a goal in the 20th minute of action. Islas made a quick run down the left side of the field with the ball. With several runners positioned in the center of the box, Islas crossed the ball, which found the head of Powers to tie the game.
 
Five minutes later an errant pass from the Pioneers resulted in a defensive scramble for the Pioneers. Although TWU's center backs were able recover, one Tiger attacker, Jamie Fowler, split the defense and snuck one past the outstretched hands of Pioneers goalkeeper, Morgan Sherman.
 
Heading into halftime down 2-1, the Pioneers returned in the second half with a vengeance, recording 11 shots in the second half alone.
 
In the 47th minute, Islas had an incredible shot from just outside the 18 yard box that hit the left post. Ten minutes later, Celeste Beltran and Keely Chapman recorded back-to-back shots that both went off frame.
 
After shots by Beltran and Chapman, Bri Luna struck the ball from an angle on the right that narrowly missed the bottom corner and was saved by the Tigers keeper.
 
The Pioneers had one lost shot in the 89th minute by Madison Blue that was off frame.
 
Across the match, the Pioneers recorded 25 shots compared to the Tigers nine shots. TWU also won the shot on goal battle with 10 on frame, while OBU had four.
 
Today was a battle from the first whistle, there were 19 fouls called and five cards issued, two on TWU.
 
Sherman ended with two saves on the day.
 
"We are playing well," TWU head coach Babak Abouzar said. "We just have to be better in those game changing moments. We're creating quality chances in our attacking third but not finishing them like we should. We'll continue to work on those things and get ready for conference."
 
The Pioneers are on the road next week as they start conference action in Edmond, Oklahoma against Oklahoma Christian on Wednesday, Sept. 14 at 4:30 p.m.