TULSA, Okla. -- Top-seeded Oral Roberts earned the right to play for a Summit League Championship title after defeating fifth-seeded Kansas City 2-1 in Thursday’s second semifinal of the 2025 Summit League Women’s Soccer Championship at Case Soccer Complex. After trailing 1-0 at halftime, the Golden Eagles struck for back-to-back goals just five minutes into the second half to claim the lead for good.

Following a slow start from two high-powered offenses, ORU nearly broke through when All-Summit League first teamer Brianna Castleberry launched a strike from 25 yards out that glanced just off the crossbar in the 11^th minute.

Six minutes later, the Roos capitalized on their fourth corner of the match as their own, all-league first team selection, Olivia Platt buried a loose ball off a failed ORU clearance to open the scoring. The goal marked Platt’s ninth of the season, tying her for second in the conference.

ORU ramped up its intensity by controlling possession and generating two quality looks in the final 10 minutes of the half, but Kansas City goalkeeper Anika Patton denied both attempts to preserve the 1-0 lead going into the break.

Despite outshooting the Roos 6-2 in the first half, the Golden Eagles could not muster the equalizer, while Kansas City earned four corners and placed both of its shots on frame in the opening 45 minutes.

Oral Roberts wasted little time pulling even in the second half, leveling the score in the 50th minute when freshman Genesis Helsley slipped a shot past the KC goalkeeper. Just 71 seconds later, All-Summit League first team member Marlee Fort broke free on a counter and buried the eventual game-winner to give the Golden Eagles a 2-1 lead.

Helsley’s strike marked her seventh goal of the season while Fort collected her fifth tally of the season.

From there, the Oral Roberts’ back line strengthened its defensive play, controlling possession and holding the Roos to only two shot attempts for the remainder of the second half.

The top-seeded Golden Eagles advanced to Sunday’s championship match, setting up a rematch of last year’s final against third-seeded South Dakota State. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. CT at Case Soccer Complex.
 
Turning Point

• Trailing 1-0 at the half, the Golden Eagles put away the equalizing and go-ahead goals in a 71-second stretch early in the second half to snatch the momentum.

Inside the box score

• ORU finished the match with an 11-4 edge in shots over the Roos.
• After logging four corner attempts in the first half, the Roos were held to only one in the second frame.
• The Golden Eagles put three shots on goal in the second half with two resulting in goals.

News & Notes

• Oral Roberts advanced to their second consecutive title match against the Jackrabbits, falling last season 3-1.
• This will be ORU's 10^th trip to the tournament title game where the Golden Eagles are 2-4-3 all-time.
• ORU improved its record to 4-2-1 as the No. 1 seed in Summit League Championship play.
• Marlee Fort led the Golden Eagles with one assist and a score to gather three points for her second straight match.
• Kansas City’s Patton finished the match with four saves while Oral Roberts’ Eirini Manoukaraki collected two.
• Oral Roberts is seeking their first Summit League tournament title since 2004

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