Cowgirls Come Up Short In Big 12 Opener

Friday, September 23

Stillwater, OK

7:00 PM

Oklahoma State University

5-4-2, 0-1-0

Iowa State

7-2-0, 1-0-0

Iowa State

Oklahoma State

Jaci Jones

September 23, 2016 | Cowgirl Soccer

Box Score

PHOTO GALLERY

STILLWATER – Oklahoma State could not emerge victorious in its 2016 Big 12 Conference opener Friday night as Iowa State came to the Cowgirl Soccer Complex and handed the Cowgirls a 1-0 loss.

Despite recording nearly twice as many shots as the Cyclones, OSU — which entered the match third nationally in goals — was shut out for only the second time this season as the Cowgirls fell to 5-4-2 on the season.

ISU (7-2-0) got a goal in the 32^nd minute and held on down the stretch against a furious OSU attack for the win.

"It's gut-wrenching," said OSU head coach Colin Carmichael. "It's a game I don't think we deserved to lose for sure, statistically and even just the run of the play. Especially in the second half, I thought the ball was in their end the whole time. From our standpoint, we didn't create enough good looks at goal, but I thought we did enough to score and win the game…

"That's soccer — it's a cruel game. Right now, it seems like we're not getting those breaks. We've just got to work through it, and hopefully on Sunday we'll come out and work hard and maybe those breaks will go our way."

Along with a 15-8 edge in shots in the contest, OSU held a 7-4 advantage on corner kicks. But the Cowgirls could not find the back of the net, with several near misses along the way.

One of those came in the 25^th minute when Marlo Zoller ripped a left-footed shot that deflected off the far post.

Just over six minutes later, the visitors converted the lone goal of the night when Hannah Cade collected a long pass from Kasey Opfer and lifted a shot from 20-yards out over OSU goalie Michela Ongaro to the right post.

OSU continued to control possession and the attack following intermission, but the Cowgirls simply could not find the equalizer. Over the last 11 minutes, Carmichael's squad recorded six shots and three corner kicks.

Friday's result marked just the second time in 10 matches that OSU has lost to Iowa State on its home field. The Cyclones' other win in Stillwater came in 1999.

OSU returns to action Sunday when the Cowgirls host Baylor. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.