BETHANY — The East Central University soccer team dominated the second-half scoring opportunities but couldn’t find the back of the net in a tough 1-0 Great American Conference loss to Southern Nazarene University Wednesday night at Wes Harmon Field.
The Crimson Storm improved to 6-6-2 overall and 5-3-1 in GAC play, while the Tigers dropped to 0-15 and 0-9.
Southern Nazarene struck early when junior Grace Tomlinson scored her first career goal on a header off a corner kick from Bella Brennan in the 15th minute.
ECU created several scoring chances in the first half. Natalia Castaneda recorded multiple shots, while Kaylie Gonzalez and Estrella Hernandez also had attempts. Madison Martinez put a shot on goal in the 26th minute, but SNU goalkeeper Reagan Landers made the save.
ECU goalkeeper Parker Frei made two first-half saves to keep the Tigers within striking distance at halftime.
East Central turned up the pressure in the second half, outshooting the Crimson Storm 11-2 and generating five corner kicks.
Emily Cavazos and Martinez both had scoring opportunities, but Martinez’s attempt in the 69th minute was turned away.
Gonzalez nearly pulled the Tigers even in the 81st minute, but her shot struck the crossbar. Hernandez and Cavazos added late attempts, but ECU couldn’t break through.
East Central returns to action today, hosting Oklahoma Baptist University at 11 a.m. at Tiger Field.
Note: East Central Coordinator of Athletic Operations and Outreach Sydney Dungen contributed to this report.