Northern Oklahoma College shut out Rose State in a battle of top twenty teams as the #16 Mavs (6-1) slipped past the #11 Raiders 1-0.
Northern controlled the game until the last twenty minutes when the Mavericks, playing their third game in five days, hit the wall. As has been the case in almost every game this year Northern was able to keep possession of the ball and move the Raiders from side to side. However, the Mavs couldn't quite break through in the offensive third and score a goal. Rose State's defenders did a great job intercepting final passes and blocking shots. When the Raider defenders were beat the goalkeeper made some very nice saves. Maverick midfielder, Samantha Mendez, took a shot that seemed destined to put the Mavs up, but the Raider keeper made a diving save to keep the score level going into halftime.
The second half started much like the first with the Mavs pressing the Rose State goal. Twice it looked like Northern would break through, beating the goalkeeper with shots, but both times the ball was cleared off the line by Raider defenders. Moments later Jazmine Furra had an open shot inside the box, but just missed. Later in the half the momentum swung in favor of Rose State. It looked like the Raiders would go up a goal, but the shot hit the crossbar and the Mavs were able to clear the ball away from danger. Minutes later a Raider shot beat Northern goalkeeper, Jaime Rowlands, but Milica Bulatovic cleared the ball off the line to keep the score level. With just two minutes left in the game Josie Jarvis sprinted down the right side with the ball and put in a cross to the back post. Bulatovic headed the ball into the net for the game winner.
"What a great game," said coach Michael DuRoy. "The girls gave everything they had. Josie Jarvis is not human. She does not get tired. She played the entire game and still had the energy to run by defenders in the 88th minute. I thought our midfield was terrific today. They dominated the game. If you are a soccer fan or even a fan of incredible athletes you need to come watch Milica Bulatovic. Players like her do not come around very often. She didn't play her best today, but she made two huge plays when we needed them the most. It looked like it wasn't going to be our day. I felt like we dominated the game, but the ball just would not go in. Anytime you have two shots cleared off the line you know you are not destined to score, but the girls kept coming at them. Rose State is a great team. It was a good win, but we have to go back to work and keep improving."
