Oklahoma State University Athletics
Oklahoma State University
Rutgers
Cowgirls? Run At NCAA Soccer Championship Ends On Penalty Kicks
November 16, 2008 | Cowgirl Soccer
PISCATAWAY, N.J. — Oklahoma State's bid for its first-ever Sweet 16 appearance came to an end Sunday at Yurcak Field as Rutgers defeated the No. 7 Cowgirls in a penalty kick shootout to advance in the NCAA Women's Soccer Championship.
The Cowgirls dominated the second-round match statistically, but after regulation and two overtime periods, neither team had recorded a goal. That set up a penalty kick shootout, which the Scarlet Knights won, 4-2.
OSU finishes the season with an 18-1-4 record, its 18 wins setting a program record. It marks the third consecutive season the Cowgirls have failed to advance out of the second round of the NCAA tourney.
“It's the best season in our program's history,” said OSU head coach Colin Carmichael. “We're disappointed right now and it's hard to talk about, but those girls are gonna look back on some of the great things they've done this year and be very, very proud of what they've achieved for Oklahoma State. There are a lot of great moments for this team to look back on.”
Carmichael's squad, which has lost penalty kick shootouts in the second round in two of the last three NCAA Tournaments, outshot
“We dominated every statistical category, and it was just difficult conditions – the field quality was bad, the wind was bad,” said OSU head coach Colin Carmichael. “We played ugly, but our kids did a great job of fighting and creating chances. We dominated every stat except we couldn't put the ball in the net. Losing on a penalty kick shootout again is frustrating.”
OSU controlled the action during most of the opening half as the Cowgirls recorded six shots and four corner kicks.
In the second half, OSU continued to put on the heat offensively. Two of the Cowgirls' best chances came off the foot of All-American Yolanda Odenyo. With just over 15 minutes left in regulation, Odenyo sent a shot just wide of the goal, and in the first overtime, she drilled a shot that was saved off the crossbar by
In the shootout, the Cowgirls opened with Siera Strawser drilling her shot into the back of the net, and Jenifer Anzivino followed suit for the Scarlet Knights.
But on OSU's second attempt, taken by Bridget Miller, Guthrie got a hand on the ball and knocked it off the right post. After another successful attempt for
Erin Stigler recorded the shutout in goal for the Cowgirls. It was the 21st of her career, which stands as the school record.
