Oklahoma State University Athletics
Oklahoma State University
Arkansas
Cowgirls Win Exhibition Opener
August 11, 2012 | Cowgirl Soccer
Aug. 11, 2012
STILLWATER, Okla. - Oklahoma State opened the 2012 season with a 2-0 exhibition win over Arkansas at the Cowgirl Soccer Complex.
The Cowgirls, who are ranked No. 5 nationally and are the favorite to repeat as Big 12 Conference champions, scored goals in each half and outshot the Razorbacks by a 17-6 margin.
Megan Marchesano and George Christie notched goals, and AD Franch recorded the shutout with a four-save effort.
"We wanted to get a starting point. Our kids have been playing and training hard for about 10 days and to see them against another team was great," said OSU head coach Colin Carmichael, whose squad opens the regular season Friday against UMKC. "There are four or five things we're really happy with and four or five things to work on for next week, and that's exactly what we needed to see.
"We really haven't spent too much time working on our attack, it's been more of our defensive shape. So I'm relatively happy with it. Offensively, our timing will get better. We created some chances, and hopefully as the weeks go on we'll get a little better at putting them away."
Arkansas had the first scoring opportunity just over four minutes into the match, but Franch made a diving save on a shot by Ashleigh Ellenwood to keep the Hogs off the scoreboard.
OSU created several scoring chances of its own early on, but UA goalie Kelly Roliand made three saves in the game's first 11 minutes.
But the Cowgirls would break through in the 21st minute. After an Arkansas foul just outside the 18-yard box, Marchesano set up for the free kick. Her ball deflected off the defensive line, but she collected the rebound and drilled a shot to the far post to give OSU a 1-0 advantage.
OSU's second score came just over five minutes into the second half. Kristen Kelley delivered the assist on a cross that Christie sent to the back of the net from 15-yards out to give the Cowgirls a 2-0 advantage.
The Cowgirls will host UMKC in their regular season opener Friday at 7 p.m. at the Cowgirl Soccer Complex.
