Soccer Suffers First Home Defeat To No. 3 Texas A&M

NORMAN, Okla. Things started off in Oklahoma's favor with a 1-0 halftime lead, but Texas A&M battled back to control a majority of the second half with four unanswered goals. The loss marks the Sooner's first defeat at John Crain Field this year as they fall to 5-3-1 on the season. It was the first Big 12 game this season for the Sooners and they are 0-1 in league action, the Aggies improve their overall mark to 7-1 (1-0).

Numerous scoring chances presented themselves to the Sooner offense in the first 45 minutes of action, and OU capitalized on one opportunity at the 37:49 mark from sophomore midfielder Lauren MacIver. MacIver recovered a deflected ball and blasted the ball past A&M's goalkeeper Katie Jo Spisak on the near post and into the back of the net to put OU on top 1-0. The goal marked MacIver's third this season and she was assisted by Kristin Vesely and Savannah Scott. Despite dominating the amount of scoring chances in the first session, the Sooners found themselves tied with the Aggies at nine shots a piece at halftime.

'Both teams were creating chances but we probably came up with the best five chances in that first half, said Oklahoma head coach Randy Evans. 'All we needed to do was execute the same way in the second half as the first and we win the game.'

Unfortunately, things did not swing in the favor of the Sooners, as Texas A&M knotted the game at one, 11 minutes into the second half. A&M did so with a goal from Kristen Strutz, her fifth of the season in the 57th minute. OU was unable to counter to regain the lead and the momentum swung in visitor's favor. The Aggies scored goals in the 64th minute, the 71st and the 84th. With the exception of a couple second half miscues, OU put themselves into position to build a big lead and possibly upset a team that had only one loss. That loss came at the hands of current No. 1, North Carolina, a 0-1 overtime setback for the Aggies.

'We were undisciplined in the second half and that is where our youth really shows,' said Evans. 'The big difference in the game was that we allowed them to gain space in our zone and attack us. I am obviously proud of the performance but to be able to beat a team like Texas A&M and to go far in the Big 12 we have to show more discipline and be able to do so throughout the whole game.'

The Aggies held the advantage in overall shots, 20-15. OU's Catherine Wade made six saves in the game and is now 5-3-1 on the season.

OU will return to action on Sunday with another top-25 team when Texas comes to Norman for a 1 p.m. showdown at John Crain Field. OU is 4-6 lifetime against the Longhorns. The first 250 fans will receive OU soccer trading cards and there will be an autograph session after the game.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Soccer Suffers First Home Defeat To No. 3 Texas A&M

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