Oklahoma State University Athletics
Oklahoma State University
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Kansas
Cowgirls Beat Kansas In Home Finale
October 27, 2013 | Cowgirl Soccer
Oct. 27, 2013
STILLWATER, Okla. – Oklahoma State concluded the home portion of its regular season schedule Sunday afternoon with a 2-0 win over Kansas at the Cowgirl Soccer Complex.
Sophomores Allie Stephenson and Madison Mercado notched goals for the Cowgirls, while freshman Michela Ongaro recorded her third shutout. With the win, OSU improved to 7-4-6 on the season and vaulted into fourth place in the Big 12 Conference standings with a 2-2-3 league mark.
“It's all about match ups, just like it is in any sport,” said OSU head coach Colin Carmichael. “When a team plays predominantly possession, ball on the ground, we do well and match up well with that, and we played some nice soccer. It was a really well-played college soccer game between two good teams, and we're happy we were able to finish some chances and get the win.”
OSU took a lead just under 19 minutes into the contest when Krissi Killion delivered a cross through the box that Stephenson delivered to the near post from 12-yards out for her sixth goal of the season.
The Cowgirls took the 1-0 lead into intermission after a first half that saw OSU outshoot the Jayhawks, 9-7, and KU keeper Kaitlyn Stroud record three saves.
Sunday's match saw 31 fouls whistled and seven cards issued, and that would play a pivotal role in the second half.
In the 58th minute, KU defender Tayler Estrada drew her second card of the match, sending her off and forcing the Jayhawks to play with just 10 players over the final 32 minutes.
OSU took advantage, converting its second scoring play in the 66th minute. Courtney Dike sent a pass ahead that hit Mercado in stride, and once behind the defense, Mercado delivered a shot from eight-yards out that hit the crossbar and bounced over the line to give the Cowgirls a 2-0 lead. The goal was Mercado's fourth of the season, while Dike's fourth assist tied her with Mercado for the team lead.
The match ended with both teams having recorded 15 shots, but many of the Jayhawks' attempts were from long range and only two were on goal.
“Our defense has been doing a great job the last month,” Carmichael said. “(Ongaro) made one big save, but other than that, most of (KU's) shots were from distance.
“Even in some of those games we haven't won, our defense has been really good, we've been tough to beat, and finally our offense clicked today. That's encouraging moving forward.”
OSU concludes the regular season with a trip to Ames, Iowa, to take on Iowa State Friday at 7 p.m. and will open play in the Big 12 Soccer Championship in Kansas City on Nov. 6.
