Cowgirls Remain Undefeated With Sixth Win

Friday, September 8

Stillwater, OK

4:00 PM

Oklahoma State University

6-0-1

Illinois

3-4-0

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

Jaci Jones

September 08, 2017 | Cowgirl Soccer

Box Score

Box Score (PDF)
Carmichael Postgame
Woodard Postgame
Lenhardt Postgame

STILLWATER – Oklahoma State continued its winning ways Friday at the Cowgirl Soccer Complex as the 18^th-ranked Cowgirls topped Illinois, 2-0.

With the win, OSU improved to 6-0-1 on the season, which includes a 4-0 mark on its home field.

Both Cowgirl goals came in the first 20 minutes in a match OSU dominated statistically, outshooting the visitors by a 22-12 count and owning a 10-4 advantage on corner kicks. Half of OSU's shots were on goal, with Illinois goalie Jaelyn Cunningham recording nine saves to keep the nation's fourth-highest scoring offense to two goals.

OSU grabbed momentum early when Haley Woodard, who was playing in just her third match of the season, dribbled around her defender and blasted a 20-yard shot top shelf to the near post to put the Cowgirls up just 3:07 into the match. The goal was Woodard's second of the season.

The Cowgirls doubled their lead in the 20^th minute. Anna Beffer delivered a shot from near the top of the box that Cunningham deflected for a save, but Jaci Jones was there to tap in the rebound and put OSU up 2-0. Jones' goal was also her second of the season, while Beffer added to her NCAA-best assist total with her seventh of the year.

Illinois managed just three shots in the opening half, but each was on goal, and the first was the Illini's best chance of the match. But Michela Ongaro made a highlight-reel save, one of her four saves on the night, to keep UI off the scoreboard.

Ongaro finished the game in goal to notch her first shutout of the season; it was also the 14^th shutout of the senior's career to move her into a tie with Kat Doud for third on OSU's all-time list.

OSU continued to control the attack following intermission but was kept out of the net by Cunningham. Illinois finished with nine shots in the final half, but six of those came over the final 6:33 as it pressed to try and come from behind.

The Cowgirls return to action Sunday when they host Abilene Christian at 1 p.m.