TU women’s soccer team celebrates seniors with flowers and a conference win.
The University of Tulsa women’s soccer team celebrated its senior night with an important conference win over the University of Alabama-Birmingham Blazers on Thursday night at the Hurricane Soccer Stadium. The Golden Hurricane won by a score of 1-0, with a late goal coming off the boot of sophomore striker Blaine Schutte, assisted by a great pass from senior winger Jordan Frederick. TU adds its second conference win of the season, making its conference record 2-2-2 and bringing it up to sixth in the American Athletic Conference standings. With Schutte’s second-half goal, Tulsa improved its impressive second-half statistics, outscoring opponents 21-10 in the latter half of games this year.
The first half showcased the ability of both teams’ defenses, as there were few scoring opportunities for both teams, and neither were able to find the back of the net. An impressive performance by Tulsa’s Kaylyn Simmons created numerous chances for the Golden Hurricane, but none resulted in a goal. Tulsa’s senior goalkeeper, Tatum Sanders, showed off her impressive reflexes with a decisive save of a close-range UAB shot in the 6th minute of the game to keep the Blazers off the board.
The second half was a much different story, as Tulsa’s offense began to apply pressure to UAB, with plenty of early chances just coming up short. Finally, in the 79th minute, a key tackle by sophomore Lauren McIntyre, followed by a great show of skill from the defender, started a TU counterattack. Sophomore midfielder Ady Bechtel would continue the TU attack before playing an incisive pass to forward Jordan Frederick, who set up striker Blaine Schutte perfectly for the first and only goal of the game.
Multiple Golden Hurricane players achieved impressive statistical accomplishments following the game. Sanders tallied 4 saves in the game, which was enough to earn her 3rd shutout of the season and 11th of her career. Sanders now holds the spot for second-most saves in program history.
Jordan Frederick also nabbed her 7th assist of the season and 25th of her career, putting her second-most in program history for assists. She also improved her point total on the year to 27, which is tied for 4th-most in the nation and leads the American Athletic Conference. Blaine Schutte’s 8th goal of the season puts her tied-second in the conference, only trailing her teammate Frederick.
Tulsa honored its nine graduating seniors (Hannah Chance, Jordan Frederick, Nanami Hata, Avery Hudkins, Gracen Ruggles, Tatum Sanders, Calista Siegmeier, Maggie Smith, and Makala Woodford) with a touching ceremony post-game. Each senior was individually recognized with a short PA announcement and awarded a bouquet of flowers as they walked on the field with their loved ones by their side. The Golden Hurricane women’s soccer team will be back in action next on Sunday, October 12, when they travel to Denton, Texas, to take on the University of North Texas Mean Green. They will return to the Hurricane Soccer Stadium on October 19, continuing their conference schedule against the team sitting second in the conference, the University of Texas San Antonio Roadrunners.
