THE RUNDOWN
The DBU Women's Soccer team hosted Oklahoma Baptist University this afternoon on University Hill in a match that saw DBU earn its 5th straight win of the season, beating OBU 6-0.

The No.6 Nationally Ranked Patriots (5-0-0) once again would jump out to an early lead as they have done several times this year; the Patriots have now scored their opening goal in the first 10 minutes of the game in four of their five games through 2021. DBU would first get on the scoresheet this afternoon when Delaney Schmidt got on the end of a perfectly placed Kaci Parks corner kick in the 7th minute of the match. The goal would be Schmidt's 3rd goal of the season and Parks' team leading 5th assist.

DBU would expand their lead in the 23rd minute when Marit Auee would be the first to react to a rebound off of a saved penalty kick that Auee would smash into the back of the net for her 3rd goal of the season. Kaleigh Nazier would continue to impress in her young Patriot career, earning her 2nd and 3rd goal of the year tonight; as well as, adding an assist to her name. Ashley Merrill continues her historic start to her DBU career as she scored a goal in the 5th straight game. Merrill now has a team, and conference, leading eight goals total. Alondra Olmos would get in on the action tonight as well, scoring her first goal of the year and what was arguably the goal of the season so far for the Patriots.

In a game that was controlled by DBU from start to finish, every aspect of the Patriots side was clicking tonight. The style of play that Michelle Lenard's side runs allows them to possess the ball at their will and create opportunities through their desired flow of the game. The midfield trio of Melissa Jones, Brittany Eccles, and Ashley Merrill continues to shine for the Patriots on both the offensive and defensive side of the field. This trio really stood out on the defensive side of the ball this afternoon, winning it back through multiple strong challenges in key areas of the field that would set the offense up with goal scoring opportunities.

The backline for the Patriots continues to impress. The defensive unit that saw the same personnel in the same positions start the for 2nd consecutive game for the first time this season only allowed four shots on target, most of which were easy for Hailey Brown and Adrianna Schroeder to save. An important aspect that sometimes goes unnoticed about this DBU backline is the organization that they have. Being on the same page at all times and having a solid chemistry is one of the main factors that allows them to be in the right place, intercept passes, and make strong challenges.

DBU would see the game out to a 6-0 victory while keeping the game calm and controlling the pace of play throughout the full 90.

THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
  - This Patriots offense is loaded. DBU has now had a game with a least four different goal scorers three times this season. Seven different players have found the back of the net on the year for DBU while nine have contributed through at least one assist.
 
 - Freshman Ella McQuaid continues to get significant minutes rotating into the back four for DBU. McQuaid has now seen 193 minutes of action on the year for the Patriots and continues to put in solid performances. McQuaid is a strong challenger of the ball and is a player who defends well on both the outside and in the middle of the park.
 
 - Freshman Kaleigh Nazier has had an instant impact on this DBU roster. Nazier has come off the bench in every game for the Patriots and has constantly provided a tenacity the keeps the momentum for the offense going throughout the whole game. Nazier has three goals and one assist in what is now only her 2nd month on University Hill.
 
COACH MICHELLE LENARD ON THE PATRIOTS WIN
"Another great team performance today. I am very pleased with the consistency with which we have been playing. Lots of different players have been scoring goals and we are creating different types of chances. The defensive unit is continuing to get better as well. This was a great confidence builder going into the weekend."

INSIDE THE NUMBERS
7 – Seven different Patriots played in multiple roles on the field tonight, continuing to showcase the knowledge, versatility, and depth of this entire DBU roster.

5 – DBU has five of the Lone Star Conference's top 10 leading goal scorers in Merrill, Auee, Schmidt, Nazier, and Patterson. Four of those girls are in the top 6 in the LSC.

6 – The Patriots were ranked No. 6 in the country by the United Soccer Coaches in a release that came out this afternoon. The No. 6 ranking ties the highest ranking in program history, which DBU received back in the 2015 campaign when they made it all the way to the Elite Eight of the NCAA tournament.

UP NEXT
DBU will travel over to Baton Rouge, Louisiana where they will match up with the LSU Tigers. Kickoff is scheduled for Friday afternoon at 1:00 p.m