Women’s soccer opened up their 2016 season last weekend with two road matchups. One with Rogers State and the weekend finale, Newman University. First, it was on to Claremore, Okla. to battle Rogers State. 

Rogers State was seeking revenge as the Lions have beaten Rogers State by a combined score of 11-1 in their previous two meetings. 

The Lions controlled the first half holding Rogers State to only one shot attempt while taking 13 of their own. Southern took seven corner kicks capitalizing on none. The first half ended tied at zero.

Southern finally broke through in the second half as senior Carly Cecil scored in the 67th minute. Rogers eventually turned up the pressure and tied the game in the 84th minute. Three minutes later, Rogers State took a 2-1 lead on a free kick. Rogers State would hold their one goal lead and go on to win spoil the Lions season opener.

It was a tale of two half’s. After dominating the first half with 13 shot attempts, Southern only took two shot attempts in the second half. For the game, Southern outshot Rogers State 15-7. 

Freshman Luiz Galindo got the start at goalie for the Lions. Jeannine Escobar, Carly Cecil, Hannah Cook, Julia Liberty, Tayler LePage, Ronise Miller, Brooke Ishmael, Brianna Smith, Taylor Beck, and Chloe Jackson all got the start for the Lions in the season opener. 

Game two of opening weekend, the Lions traveled to Wichita, Kan. to take on Newman. Newman won their season opener 2-0 against Northwestern Oklahoma State. Neither team could get on the scoreboard in the double overtime match as the match ended in a 0-0 draw. 

The Lions beat Newman last season 1-0 in double overtime. 

Newman out shot Southern 14-9 and 5-4 in shots on goal. 

The starting lineup for the Lions remained the same with one change. Freshman Ashton Denham got the start over LePage in game two.

 Smith led the Lions with four shots in game two with two on goal. Junior transfer Elizabeth Saavedra came off the bench and added two shots, one on goal.

The Lions’ take Hal Bodon field for the first time this season today as they welcome in Ouachita Baptist. Start time is set for 3 p.m.