Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowgirls Set To Host Conference Showdowns
October 02, 2007 | Cowgirl Soccer
#22 Oklahoma State (7-2-1, 1-1-0)
vs.
#7 Texas A&M (7-2-1, 1-1-0)
Thursday, Oct. 4 • 7 p.m.
Cowgirl Soccer Complex (1,000)
• • •
vs.
Baylor (6-3-2, 0-1-1)
Saturday, Oct. 6 • 7 p.m.
Cowgirl Soccer Complex (1,000)
Oklahoma State
Oklahoma State is 7-2-1 on the season and tied for fourth in the Big 12 Conference standings after completing the first weekend of league play with a 1-1-0 mark. The Cowgirls return to action at the Cowgirl Soccer Complex Thursday in a nationally televised showdown against Texas A&M, the only Big 12 team OSU has never defeated, before squaring off against Baylor on Saturday. OSU is unbeaten in its last 15 home matches, sporting a 12-0-3 mark during the streak.
OSU earned its highest-ever finish in the Big 12 in 2006 when the Cowgirls finished second in the league standings with an 8-1-1 mark.
Texas A&M
The Aggies are 7-2-1 on the season, including a 1-1-0 mark in Big 12 play.
OSU is 0-11-2 all-time against Texas A&M, including a 3-1 loss last season in College Station.
Players To Watch: F Ashlee Pistorius, MF Rachel Shipley, MF Melissa Garey, GK Kristin Arnold
Baylor
Baylor entered the week's action with a 6-3-2 record, which included an 0-1-1 league mark.
The Cowgirls are 4-5-2 all-time against Baylor, including a 3-1 win in 2007.
Players To Watch: D Megan Sherrell, MF Lotto Smith, F Amanda McGrath, GK Ashley Noah
In The Polls
OSU's highest ranking is No. 22 in the NSCAA/adidas and SoccerTimes.com polls.The Cowgirls are also ranked 23rd by Soccer America.
Texas A&M is ranked as high as No. 6 in the NSCAA/adidas poll. The Aggies are also ranked No. 7 by SoccerTimes.com, 10th by Soccer Buzz and 16th by Soccer America. BU is unranked.
On The Air & The Web
OSU welcomes the Fox Soccer Channel to Stillwater as it will broadcast Thursday's showdown with Texas A&M live to a national television audience. Steve Bell (play-by-play) and former OSU assistant coach Robby Hagemann (color) will call the action. Both of OSU's matches this weekend will also be carried live by Stillwater Radio on KGFY 105.5 FM, with Bill Van Ness calling the action. Radio broadcasts can also be accessed via the internet at www.okstate.com (link is available under Audio Webcast). Fans will also be able to follow the games via live stats. Live stats for all home games can also be accessed by logging on to www.okstate.com.
Great Expectations
OSU is coming off the best season in the program's 12-year history, and optimism is high for an even better showing in 2007.
In 2006, the Cowgirls finished 17-3-3, setting a school record for wins. With an 8-1-1 mark, they finished second in the Big 12 Conference standings, also a program best. And after advancing to the NCAA Tournament for the second time in its history, OSU won its first-ever NCAA tourney game with a 2-0 win over UNC-Greensboro before barely missing advancing to the Sweet 16 when they lost on penalty kicks to Clemson.
The Cowgirls returned eight starters from last season's squad, including six of their top seven scorers and the core of a defense that was among the Big 12's best in '06.
R-E-S-P-E-C-T
The Cowgirls ended the season in the national rankings for the first time in school history in 2006, and the pollsters have not forgotten about OSU in 2007.
For the first time in program history, the Cowgirls were ranked among the nation's top teams in each of the four national preseason polls, and with their 7-2-1 start, they have maintained a spot in the rankings.
OSU was also picked by the Big 12 Conference's head coaches to finish fourth in the league race in '07, and senior Yolanda Odenyo was chosen to the preseason All-Big 12 team, a pair of preseason All-America teams and to the Hermann Trophy watch list.
Landmark Win
On Sept. 16, Oklahoma State did something that has not been done in four years — defeat Notre Dame on its home field.
With its 2-1 overtime win against the No. 9 Fighting Irish at Alumni Field, OSU ended Notre Dame's 43-game home unbeaten streak, the third-longest streak in women's Division I soccer history.
Sasa Jackson scored the game-winning goal just 79 seconds into overtime to give the Cowgirls what head coach Colin Carmichael called the biggest win in the 12-year history of the OSU program.
Erin Stigler had eight saves in the win, and Siera Strawser also notched a goal.
Doing It With Defense
One of the biggest reasons for OSU's success in 2006 was a defense that was arguably the best in the Big 12 Conference.
The Cowgirls tied a school record with 12 shutouts in '06, and that total also tied OSU for the most blankings by a Big 12 team last season. Opponents attempted just 255 shots against the Cowgirls and only 16 of those found the back of the net. OSU ranked first in the league in goals allowed, and the Cowgirls' 0.66 goals against average was also tops in the conference.
Returning in '07 to anchor the defense are senior Niccole Grimaldi and sophomore Bridget Miller, along with record-setting goalkeeper Erin Stigler.
Led by those veterans, the Cowgirls are continuing to frustrate opponents. OSU has recorded a Big 12-best six shutouts this season and ranks among the nation's best in shutout percentage (tied for 16th nationally at 0.600) and goals-against average (29th at 0.583).
Stigler's 0.65 goals-against average ranks third in the Big 12.
That's Offensive
While the defense has been strong, it certainly does not overshadow OSU's offensive attack.
OSU has scored 22 goals this season and averages 19.3 shots per game. The Cowgirls' 2.1 assists per match ranks second in the Big 12.
Six Cowgirls have at least four points this season, with Sasa Jackson's 12 leading the way. Jackson leads the Cowgirls with five goals, while Kasey Langdon and Katie Richardson each have four assists to pace the squad.
In 2006, the Cowgirls' 39 assists was the third-highest total in school history, while their 46 goals tied for fourth. OSU also racked up 131 points, which tied for the third-best output in program history.
Led by All-America midfielder Yolanda Odenyo, the Cowgirls ranked third in the Big 12 in scoring in 2006 at just under 5.7 points per game, as well as third in goals (46) and assists (38).
