Oklahoma State University Athletics
Oklahoma State University
San Diego
Cowgirls Improve To 9-0
September 11, 2011 | Cowgirl Soccer
Sept. 11, 2011
LOS ANGELES - Kyndall Treadwell's goal in the 70th minute lifted fourth-ranked Oklahoma State to a 2-1 win over San Diego Sunday at McAlister Field to give the Cowgirls the Trojan Invitational title.
With the win, OSU improved to 9-0-0 on the season and is one win shy of matching the best starts to a season in program history, which came in 2002 and 2003 when each of those teams started 10-0-0.
"It was a great game, both teams played some really great soccer," said OSU head coach Colin Carmichael. "In fairness, I thought we edged it and probably deserved to win. But (San Diego) is a very, very good team, and we had to play really hard to get the win.
"When you're winning like this, you just don't want to break any of the routine, just keep things going. The kids are working really hard. They fight for each other and never get down. We've got a good team, and we'll keep doing a lot of the same things that we're doing and hopefully this will continue throughout the season."
After a scoreless first half, the Cowgirls broke through in the 58th minute. Krista Lopez beat the defense down the near side and delivered a cross that Taylor Mathews headed off the crossbar. The ball bounced to Megan Marchesano, who delivered her third goal of the season to give OSU a 1-0 advantage.
The lead did not last long as just over eight-minutes later, an OSU foul resulted in a free kick for the Toreros from just outside the top of the 18-yard box. And they would convert the opportunity as Natalie Garcia delivered a shot to the upper post to tie the match at 1-1. The goal was just the second the Cowgirls have allowed this season and first in the last seven games.
OSU would answer just under four minutes later when Treadwell blasted a 25-yard shot that deflected off a USD defender and into the back of the net for what proved to be the game winner.
The Cowgirls finished with a 19-11 advantage in shots. They limited USD star forward Stephanie Ochs, who entered the game with six goals, to five shots, just one of those on goal.
Carmichael credited center backs Carson Michalowski and Melinda Mercado, along with Elizabeth DeLozier and Kristen Kelley, with standout defensive play in limiting Ochs' effectiveness.
"(Ochs) is a great player, and we just tried to double her as much as we could," Carmichael said. "Carson and Minnie took most of the responsibility, but Flash (DeLozier) and Kristen helped a lot. It was a great group effort to keep her off the score sheet."
OSU held a 12-5 advantage on shots in the opening half, and a furious rally by the Cowgirls in the 23rd minute nearly resulted in a score.
Within a 15-second span, the Cowgirls recorded three shots but could not find the back of the net. The barrage began when Annika Niemeier headed a corner kick that was saved by a USD defender. Lopez's follow shot was also saved, and Kelley connected on a 10-yard blast that drilled the left post.
USD (5-3-0) recorded seven saves on the Cowgirls' 12 shots in the first half, six of those by goalie Courtney Parsons.
OSU returns to action Thursday when the Cowgirls host BYU.
