EDMOND, Okla. — Mississippi Christian University secured a 1-0 victory over Oklahoma Christian on Thursday night, despite playing nearly 85 minutes with a player down. Lillie McCutchen scored the game-winning goal in the 84th minute, helping the Choctaws improve to 2-1-0 this season.
Mississippi Christian was reduced to 10 players early in the match after Cooper Holmes received a red card in the fifth minute. Despite the disadvantage, the Choctaws kept Oklahoma Christian off the scoreboard. The Eagles pressured early, earning three corner kicks by the 22:20 mark and holding a 3-1 shot advantage in the first half. Olivia Graham recorded the lone shot for Mississippi Christian in the 26th minute, but the teams went into halftime scoreless.
Oklahoma Christian maintained control after halftime, finishing with a 9-2 shot advantage in the second half and seven corner kicks. Brynn Hedberg kept the Choctaw defense strong, making six saves in the final 45 minutes. Her efforts kept the match tied until the 83rd minute, when McCutchen scored on her second shot of the second half, giving Mississippi Christian a 1-0 lead.
The Eagles immediately pushed forward, seeking an equalizer. Hedberg responded with three saves in just over a minute to preserve the lead. The Choctaws’ defense held firm through the final minutes for the shutout. Hedberg finished with six saves, earning her first clean sheet of the season. McCutchen finished with one shot on goal and the game-winning goal.
The victory highlighted the resilience of Mississippi Christian, which absorbed sustained pressure after the early red card and ultimately found a late winning goal. The team will return to action Saturday at East Central University in Ada, Oklahoma. Kickoff is scheduled for noon Central time.
