Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowgirls Shutout Nebraska, 2-0
October 21, 2006 | Cowgirl Soccer
The Cowgirls improved to 13-2-2 on the year and 8-1-1 in the Big 12, while Nebraska dropped to 8-6-3 and 3-5-1 in conference action. OSU finished ninth last year and missed out on the Big 12 Tournament.
“The best we have ever done was to be the No. 7 seed so to be seeded second is just a great testament to the girls,” co-head coach Colin Carmichael said. “Our record will usually win the Big 12, it is just unfortunate A&M had such a great year.”
“It is amazing and it just shows how good we have been over the whole season,” junior Adriane Radtke said. “We have never had this many wins before, especially on the road which is something we really struggled with last year. It is a great team and we all get along, which is important to have success.”
Oklahoma State, playing without several key players, got the scoring started in the 18th minute. Jesyca Rosholt chased down a long ball and got taken down in the penalty area by a Nebraska defender. Adriane Radtke stepped up and nailed the penalty kick in the absence of all-conference midfielder Yolanda Odenyo.
“It is huge,” senior Rosholt said. “We played great tonight. The whole team from the defense to the midfielders and forwards. We moved the ball on the ground and that is how we play. We got the balls into space when we needed to and dominated.”
It was all the Cowgirl defense would need as starters Bridget Miller, Niccole Grimaldi, Katie Lacey and Jessica Jarrell all were forced to play the full 90 minutes. The Cowgirl coaching staff only had two subs off the bench at their disposal.
The Cornhuskers out shot OSU in the first half, but the defense limited Nebraska's scoring opportunities. The best chance Nebraska had may have come off the foot of All-American Brittany Timko from 25 yards out, but her shot sailed high.
“You cannot shut her (Timko) down, you just have to hope she is not going to kill you,” Carmichael said. “We have watched her now for four years and she is just fantastic. She had some moments but our plan was to try and limit her looks at the goal and force her onto her weaker foot. I think our girls did it really well.”
OSU keeper Erin Stigler was only credited with three saves despite facing 15 Nebraska shots. The Cowgirl defenders were solid the entire game, and they held possession after they were able to take it away.
In the second half, the Huskers got off one more shot than the Cowgirls, but again Nebraska could not penetrate the Cowgirl defense and get the ball in a solid scoring position.
OSU took advantage of its defense in the 71st minute when Niccole Grimaldi played a long ball up field. Rosholt collected it at the top of the box and fired a shot into the upper corner of the goal to give the Cowgirls a more comfortable two goal lead.
The defense held off the Husker attack for the final 19 minutes to give OSU its eighth shutout of the season and fourth in Big 12 play.
Oklahoma State will finish the season with two non-conference games beginning with Oral Roberts on Sunday at 7 p.m., before waiting to see who they will play in the first round of the Big 12 Tournament on Wednesday, Nov. 1.
