Oklahoma State University Athletics
Oklahoma State University
Memphis
Cowgirls Win Thriller In Memphis
September 03, 2012 | Cowgirl Soccer
Sept. 3, 2012
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Oklahoma State netted the game-winning goal with just over five minutes remaining against No. 24 Memphis as the third-ranked Cowgirls emerged 3-2 a victor Sunday at the Mike Rose Soccer Complex.
After the start of the match was delayed for 2 ½ hours due to heavy rain and lightning, the two teams combined for five second-half goals, and it was OSU coming out on top as coach Colin Carmichael's squad improved to 6-0-0 on the season. The Cowgirls are the only undefeated team remaining in the Big 12 Conference.
Megan Marchesano, who entered the week leading the Big 12 in game-winning goals, added to her total again Sunday as her score at the 84:34 mark lifted the Cowgirls to the win.
“It was an amazing feeling to be able to go out and win that game, and it felt like as a team we really grew tonight,” said Marchesano, who leads OSU with four goals, three of them game winners. “It would have been easy to crumble, especially with such a young team, but I'm so proud of our girls for stepping up and finding a way to win. We just continue to keep improving moving forward.”
Neither team could manage a goal in the opening half, with the Tigers outshooting OSU by a 6-2 margin.
OSU did have several opportunities off set pieces, the best of those coming on a free kick from Madison Mercado from just outside 18-yard box at the 17:35 mark. But the freshman's shot was saved by Memphis goalie Becca Brown to keep the Cowgirls off the board.
Helping keep Memphis off the scoreboard was OSU All-American goalie AD Franch, who recorded three saves in the first half. One of those was of the highlight reel variety when she leapt and knocked away a shot by Christabel Oduro with just over two minutes remaining before intermission.
After a scoreless opening 45 minutes, both squads found the back of the net early in the second half.
And it would be Memphis taking the first lead in the match just 1:58 into the final half as Taylor Isenhower blasted an 18-yard shot past a diving Franch and OSU defender Miriam Rhinehart on the line.
The lead would be short lived, however, as the Cowgirls executed a corner kick opportunity exactly three minutes later. Taylor Mathews sent the corner into the box where Makenzie Kahan headed a shot into the back of the net for her second goal of the year to tie the game at 1-1.
Memphis (1-2-0) nearly went back on top at the 50:23 mark, but Franch made another diving save on a shot by Kylie Davis to keep the game tied.
After continuing to control the offensive attack following their tying score, the Cowgirls converted their first go-ahead score in the 67th minute.
Following a scramble for the ball that saw Brown dive to the ground but fail to gain possession, Mercado won the ball and delivered a shot that a Memphis defender got a foot on but was unable to clear off the line. The goal was Mercado's third of the season and more importantly put the Cowgirls on top, 2-1.
However, this time it would be Memphis recording the equalizer, tying the score on a penalty kick with 10:35 remaining. The penalty kick was the result of Rhinehart fouling Kaitlyn Atkins in the box, and Davis stepped up and converted the PK to make the score 2-2.
But once again, OSU answered. This time it was Mercado setting up Marchesano with a perfect pass that the senior delivered to the left post for what proved to be the deciding goal.
It would take another diving save by Franch on a header by Marissa Duguay with 3:43 left on the clock and a pair of Memphis shots that sailed wide for OSU to secure the win.
“There wasn't a whole lot of action in the first half and maybe the delays were a factor there, but boy in the second half both teams got going and it could have been four (goals) each,” Carmichael said. “(Memphis) is a great team. Their possession and build-up play is tremendous. We tried to disrupt them, and in the second half we did that. Their front three are dynamic, as good as anybody in the Big 12, and that was a big test for our back line.
“I'm pleased with such a young team to come into this environment with some adversity and to respond as well as they did was great.”
OSU returns to action Friday when the Cowgirls travel to Norman, Okla., for a non-conference showdown against Bedlam-rival Oklahoma.
