Oklahoma State University Athletics
Oklahoma State University
SMU
Cowgirls Defeat SMU, 2-1
September 10, 2010 | Cowgirl Soccer
Sept. 10, 2010
DALLAS – Oklahoma State scored a pair of first-half goals and hung on late to emerge a 2-1 victor over SMU Friday night at Westcott Field.
The win was the third in a row for the 14th-ranked Cowgirls, who improved to 5-1-0 on the season.
“We talked with them before the game that nobody is going to lie down for us; we're nationally ranked, and we're gonna take everybody's best shot,” said OSU head coach Colin Carmichael. “That's the way it should be, and SMU fought very hard right until the end. There were a few dicey moments late, and I'm really proud of our team.
“Even when we're not playing at our best, we're finding ways to win. This group is mentally strong. They don't give up. We deserved to win the game, but it was maybe a little bit harder than it should have been.”
SMU (3-2-1) created a number of good scoring chances early and had several near misses, including a shot by Amanda Burgardt in the 17th minute that hit the post and a follow shot by Courtney Smith that was saved by OSU goalie AD Franch.
OSU got on the scoreboard in the 21st minute when sophomore Megan Marchesano notched her first goal of the season. Marchesano took possession of the ball about 35 yards out and got past the SMU defense, including goalie Courtney Webb, who had strayed too far out of the box. Left all alone, Marchesano converted a shot from 10 yards out to get the Cowgirls on the scoreboard.
The Cowgirls doubled their lead with under 10 minutes remaining in the opening half. This time it was Krista Lopez continuing her scoring tear as she took a cross from Katie Richardson and blasted a shot into the back of the net for her team-leading fourth goal of the season and a 2-0 OSU lead.
SMU finally got on the scoreboard in the 68th minute. On a cross by Courtney Shepherd, a diving Franch deflected the ball. But Kenzie Scovill was there for the rebound, and her shot found the back of the net to cut the Mustangs' deficit in half.
The Mustangs continued to control the attack down the stretch and outshot OSU by an 8-6 count in the second half, but when their final equalizing attempt on a header by Scovill sailed wide with 14 seconds left, the Cowgirl victory was secured.
“When it was 2-0, we had chances to make it three, and that would have made that game a lot different,” Carmichael said. “But credit SMU. They fought hard, got a goal and made it hard for us.
“They were pressing us really hard there at the end, and our defense really stepped up. They're tough to break down and are also very mentally tough, and I'm proud of their effort.”
OSU returns to action Sunday at 4 p.m. when the Cowgirls will be at TCU in a match that will be televised live by the MountainWest Sports Network.
