Oklahoma State University Athletics
Oklahoma State University
SMU
Cowgirls Earn Draw In Exhibition Match
August 16, 2014 | Cowgirl Soccer
Final Stats
DALLAS - Oklahoma State recorded a 2-2 tie against SMU in a preseason exhibition match at Westcott Field Saturday night.
The Cowgirls jumped out to a 2-0 lead after 54 minutes of play, but SMU scored twice in the game's final seven minutes to produce the draw. The teams did not play overtime.
"It was a great game for an exhibition - I think both teams are really pleased with how it went," said OSU head coach Colin Carmichael. "Both teams got to play a lot of kids, both teams had some moments that were very good. We looked very comfortable at 2-0 and then made a couple of changes and the rhythm of the game changed. But you've got to give SMU credit for fighting back.
"Overall, I'm pleased with the performance - a lot more positive than negative. But we also were exposed on three or four things we have to do better."
The Cowgirls got on the scoreboard early. In the 17th minute, freshman Anna Beffer sent a long pass ahead to Madison Mercado, who outran the defense and delivered a shot into the back of the net from 12-yards out to give OSU a 1-0 advantage.
SMU nearly tied things up early in the second half. Off a free kick from just inside midfield, Claire Oates sent a header towards the goal, but Cowgirl goalie Rosa Medina made a diving save to keep the Mustangs off the scoreboard.
In the 54th minute, OSU doubled its lead. Once again it was Beffer setting up the goal as Allie Stephenson took her pass and delivered a goal from eight-yards out to put the Cowgirls up 2-0.
Despite playing without two of its top attacking players in Courtney Dike and Krissi Killion, OSU finished the contest with an 11-6 edge in shots and a 5-0 advantage on corner kicks.
"Considering there was no (Courtney) Dike and no (Krissi) Killion and having not really focused on our attacking play, I'm pleased with how we created a number of chances and scored two and could have had another couple," Carmichael said. "(Mercado) played really well, and for (Beffer) to be able to pick out passes like she did and set up goals was great."
Down 2-0 late, SMU cut its deficit in half in the 78th minute when Kelsey Gorney scored off a double assist from Vanessa Valadez and Rikki Clarke.
Just over five minutes later, the Mustangs would get the equalizer when an OSU defender tried to clear the ball and it ricocheted off Oates and past goalie Ashton Hierholzer to make it 2-2.
Both teams had near misses at the game winner in the final five minutes. Mercado and Niki McKnight had shots on goal that were saved, while Oates delivered a deep shot that deflected off the crossbar with just nine seconds remaining in the match.
OSU opens the regular season Friday with a non-conference showdown against Bedlam-rival Oklahoma in Norman before a Sunday night match at Arkansas.
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