Cowgirls Drop 2-1 Match At Arkansas

Sunday, August 24

Fayetteville, Ark.

7:00 PM

Oklahoma State University

0-2-0

Arkansas

2-0-0

Team	1	2	Final F
Oklahoma State	0	1	1
Arkansas	1	1	2

August 24, 2014 | Cowgirl Soccer

Box Score

Aug. 24, 2014

Final Stats

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Arkansas scored with just over two minutes remaining to hand Oklahoma State a 2-1 loss Sunday night in front of 2,268 fans at Razorback Field.

OSU (0-2-0) dominated the attack throughout, outshooting the Razorbacks (2-0-0) by a 19-11 margin, which included eight shots on goal. However, an early goal coupled with the late game-winner doomed the Cowgirls.

"It was a good game, very entertaining to watch," said OSU head coach Colin Carmichael. "We can't give up a goal early, especially against a good team like that, and expect to come back and win - it's difficult. Having said that, we clawed our way back and played some great soccer. Early in the second half, I thought we were clearly the dominant team, had some great looks and scored one.

"Statistically, we were the better team, but it doesn't matter - on the score sheet, you have to win. We'll regroup. We're proud of the effort, proud of a lot the play. Disappointed in the loss, but we lost to a good team and we'll regroup and be ready for next weekend."

Arkansas did not need long to take the game's first lead. Just 64 seconds in, Shelby Payne sent a cross into the box that Claire Kelley headed past OSU goalie Rosa Medina to put the Razorbacks up, 1-0.

The Cowgirls had plenty of opportunities in the opening half, outshooting Arkansas by a 9-4 margin with four of those shots on goal.

However, UA keeper Cameron Carter recorded four saves, and OSU misfired on its best chance when Krissi Killion sent a six-yard shot wide of the target after a pass into the box by Madison Mercado.

OSU continued dominating possession in the second half, and it finally paid off in the 73rd minute. Off a pass from Allie Stephenson, Mercado blasted a left-footed shot from just outside the 18-yard box that found the top shelf on the near post to tie the score at 1-1.

Arkansas outshot the Cowgirls, 4-2, over the final 15 minutes of the match, and the Razorbacks would notch the game winner at the 87:35 mark.

Tyler Allen delivered a corner kick into the box that Medina punched out. However, Ashleigh Ellenwood found the ball and drilled a high kick into the net for the game winner.

"The difference between being a good team and a great team is finishing chances," Carmichael said. "We're also pretty realistic - we know we're getting a big-time forward (Courtney Dike) back this week. But it gives us something to work on. If we get six or seven chances, you better score a couple if you want to beat a good team. We'll continue to work on it, and our kids will come good. We certainly made a big improvement from Friday."

OSU returns to action with its first home matches of the season next weekend. The Cowgirls will host a pair of top-five ranked foes in Stillwater, with No. 2 Florida State coming to town Friday before a Sunday match against fifth-ranked Florida.

*************************************************************************************

COWGIRL SOCCER TICKET OPTIONS   Get your Cowgirl Soccer tickets today by contacting the Oklahoma State Athletics Sales & Customer Service office at 877-ALL-4-OSU (877-255-4678) or online at www.okstate.com/tickets. Stop by the OSU Athletic Customer Service Center anytime, at the corner of Duck and Hall of Fame, to sit in your seats before you buy, discuss various ticket options or simply talk OSU Athletics!

SEASON TICKETS  Season tickets are currently on sale: General Public season tickets are $50, while OSU Faculty/Staff & Seniors season tickets are $40.

INDIVIDUAL GAME & GROUP TICKETS Individual and group tickets are currently on sale: Individual game general admission tickets are $5 per game. Groups of 20 or more can purchase tickets for $3 per person for every home match except the Bedlam contest. Kids join Pistol Pete Partners for only $25 - membership includes I.D. card, t-shirt and admission to all regular season soccer, wrestling, women's basketball, baseball and softball games.