Oklahoma State University Athletics
Oklahoma State University
Texas A&M
Soccer Falls In First Round Of Big 12 Tournament
November 07, 2002 | Cowgirl Soccer
Nov. 7, 2002
SAN ANTONIO, Texas - Oklahoma State's run for a Big 12 Soccer Championship was cut short on Thursday as the Cowgirls fell to top-seeded Texas A&M, 5-0, before 504 fans at the Blossom Soccer Complex.
A&M jumped out quickly, taking the early lead on a goal 13 minutes into the contest when Jessica Martin sent a header towards the goal. OSU's Jeni Jackson made a great play to clear the shot, but the ball fell to Kristen Strutz who found the back of the net on the rebound.
Oklahoma State took its first shot four minutes later as Kim Graves sent a rolling ball to the net, but Kati Jo Spisak was there to scoop up the save. Minutes later the Cowgirls were given a second prime scoring opportunity inside the goal box, but Nikki Wojtowicz was unable to control the pass.
Thanks to the missed chances, A&M extended its lead to two on a Linsey Woodard goal at the 23:41 mark. Doud nearly saved the shot, getting a hand on the ball as it crossed the goal line.
Opportunity knocked once again for OSU with six minutes remaining in the first period when Wojtowicz took a free kick from 30 yards out, forcing Spisak to make a save. Then two minutes later Kim Graves sent a beautiful cross to Wojtowicz and Lauren Colwell who were facing an open net, but neither was able to get a shot off.
Close, but not close enough seemed to be the story of the first half, as A&M capitalized on opportunities and the Cowgirls saw them slip away. The Aggies outshot the Cowgirls 10-3 and held a two-goal lead after 45 minutes.
A&M continued to cruise in the second stanza, scoring for the third time just over three minutes into the period when Heather Ragsdale headed in her ninth goal of the season on a cross from Carrie Berend.
Lisa Fulton made a big defensive play for the Cowgirls 10 minutes later, clearing a shot by Heather Ragsdale that was a sure goal had the defender not been in position. Doud was playing the opposite side of the net and Fulton was the only thing that kept the A&M lead at three.
A&M repeatedly peppered the Cowgirls with shots and connected once again at the 58:08 mark. Taking a feed from Strutz and Berend, Emma Smith made a break down the middle of the field. Doud came out to challenge, but Smith was able to evade her for the goal.
Despite a four-goal deficit, the Cowgirls maintained their intensity and Jolene Schweitzer made a break down the field two minutes later. Schweitzer sent a beautiful shot at the net and Spisak made a diving save to preserve the shutout.
Texas A&M's offense was not finished either, adding a final goal in the 79th minute of the game. Laura Probst crossed the ball to Berend who sent a header floating over the head of Doud.
Oklahoma State closed out a successful season at 13-7-0, its best finish in program history. In addition to setting a record for season wins, the Cowgirls also advanced to the Big 12 Tournament for the first time.
OSU 0 0 - 0 A&M 2 3 - 5
Goals: A&M: Kristen Strutz (5), assisted by Jessica Martin (10:30); A&M: Linsey Woodard (14), assisted by Emma Smith (23:41); Heather Ragsdale (9), assisted by Carrie Berend (48:25); Emma Smith (9), assisted by Kristen Strutz and Carrie Berend (58:08); Carrie Berend (2), assisted by Laura Probst (79:48). Goalkeepers: OSU: Kat Doud, 5 saves (90:00); A&M: Kati Jo Spisak, 6 saves (90:00). Shots: OSU- 11 A&M-17 Corner Kicks: OSU-2 A&M-7 Fouls: OSU-12 A&M-17
