Cowgirls Victorious In Preseason Exhibition

Saturday, August 13

Stillwater, OK

7:00 PM

Oklahoma State University

Texas A&M

Charmé Morgan

August 13, 2016 | Cowgirl Soccer

BOX SCORE

PHOTO GALLERY

STILLWATER, Okla. — Oklahoma State completed its preseason with a 2-0 win over No. 8 Texas A&M in an exhibition match Saturday night at the Cowgirl Soccer Complex.

Courtney Dike and Marlo Zoller tallied goals for the Cowgirls, while Michela Ongaro and Dani Greenlee combined for six saves in the shutout.

The two teams played three 30-minute periods in the match, and 10 players made their OSU debuts, four of whom were in the starting lineup.

"Awesome game from both teams — it was a perfect way to get ready for the season," said OSU head coach Colin Carmichael. "I thought both teams showed why they're both very good, and I think both teams have a chance to be special this year.

"From our team's perspective, very, very happy. So many new kids, and all those new kids that stepped in all passed. We kind of told them this is their exam at the end of preseason, and every single one of them passed."

OSU finished the match with a 19-11 advantage in shots, including an 11-4 edge in a scoreless opening period.

In the 58^th minute, the Cowgirls finally converted as Dike took a long pass from Holly Brehmer and went one-on-one with TAMU goalkeeper Mia Hummel. OSU's senior forward and preseason All-Big 12 Conference selection won the battle as she chipped a shot to the far post to put the home team up 1-0.

The Cowgirls doubled their lead in the 69^th minute when Zoller corralled the ball in the box and drilled a shot into the back of the net. Bri Woodall was credited with an assist on the play as OSU pushed its lead to 2-0.

Ongaro finished with five saves in the contest, four of those coming in the final period as she maintained the shutout. During a two-minute span in one stretch late in the game, the junior keeper leapt to deflect a shot over the crossbar then picked up another save when she dove to her left to stop a shot.

"We've all been working really well together over preseason and learning how to play with each other with so many new players coming in, and it was a success tonight," Dike said. "If we carry this mentality into the rest of our season, I think it will be a season to remember."

OSU opens the regular season Friday at Georgia before a Sunday matchup at Mercer.