Dike Concludes Historic Trip To Women's World Cup

STILLWATER, Okla. — Oklahoma State junior Courtney Dike made history at the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada.

A member of the Nigeria National Team, Dike became the first-ever Oklahoman to play in a Women's World Cup match last week against Australia, and she topped that Tuesday night in Vancouver when she was in the Super Falcons' starting lineup against the United States.

Dike, who was born in Oklahoma City and raised in Edmond, Okla. (her parents, Vincent and Jacinta, are natives of Nigeria), stars for OSU head coach Colin Carmichael's Cowgirls and is a two-time All-Big 12 Conference performer who has recorded 16 goals and seven assists in her first two collegiate seasons.
"Just to be selected to the final roster was a huge achievement for a young lady who a year ago wasn't even on the U-20 team — it shows you how highly they think of Courtney within the Nigeria Federation," Carmichael said. "And then to get onto the squad and work her way up into a position where she got minutes and then got to start, it's just a testament to Courtney's hard work and desire to play at that level and compete for her country."

After not playing in Nigeria's World Cup opener against Sweden, Dike saw action on the pitch for the final six minutes against Australia. Heading into the U.S. match, Dike told Carmichael she thought she may see significant action, maybe even as a starter, and Carmichael said he found out on Twitter just prior to the match that Dike would indeed be among Nigeria's starting 11 as a forward against the U.S.

Carmichael, OSU associate head coach Justin Elkington and several of their coaching friends gathered to watch the Nigeria-United States match, and Carmichael said it was surreal watching Dike take the field.

"I got goose bumps — to see her marching out there with Wambach, Solo, Lloyd, all of these great U.S. players, in her Nigerian jersey, was just amazing. It was pretty emotional, a really special moment that I'll always remember," Carmichael said. "And as cool and exciting as that was for me, multiply that by 100 and that's probably how Courtney felt.

"It was just a great moment, and it couldn't happen to a more deserving young lady."

Dike played 50 minutes against the U.S. before subbing out early in the second half. She concluded her first trip to the Women's World Cup with two caps, playing 56 minutes and recording one shot. Nigeria finished 0-2-1 at the tourney and failed to advance out of Group D.

The unforgettable experience will be a huge benefit for Dike and her career as well as the Oklahoma State program, according to Carmichael.

"Courtney right now, whether she wants to or not, becomes the face of the program," Carmichael said. "We've had Yolanda Odenyo, Melinda Mercado, AD Franch — All-Americans and exceptional athletes — and you can now put Courtney in that list. With that now comes higher expectations for Courtney.

"For our program, it gives us national and international exposure that at Oklahoma State we're competing at a high level, we're helping to develop very good young players and trying to make sure that we're not only trying to win but develop good people and players. Obviously any time you get that type of exposure, that kind of publicity, it just gives your program a boost, and hopefully it makes other aspiring young players that want to play in the World Cup want to come be part of our program."

Oklahoma State University Athletics

Players Mentioned

Courtney Dike

Related Videos