Sooners Lose 1-0 At Texas

NORMAN, Okla. The University of Oklahoma soccer team could not come out on top in the Red River Rivalry, losing a 1-0 game at Texas on Friday. OU kept the contest close but the Longhorns were able to score the game's only goal at the 58:55 mark for the victory.

The Sooners' freshman goalkeeper, Jennifer Nichols, was solid as she recorded nine saves in the loss, a season high. After coming off the bench in relief of senior captain Catherine Wade in five previous games, the freshman made the most out of her first collegiate start and her first full game this season.

Box score | Season Statistics

OU played its first game of the year without junior captain Lauren MacIver, who suffered a season-ending injury (ACL) during last Friday's game against Missouri. Without one of the team's top scoring threats, the Sooners got on the offensive early recording a shot just 22 seconds into the game from junior Becky Nelson. Despite a fast start, OU found itself scoreless with the Longhorns at halftime, trailing 9-6 in the shots column after 45 minutes of action.

Texas' Amy Burlingham stopped the game's scoring drought with a goal scored after a cross from Caitlin Kennedy in the 59th minute. It was the only shot Nichols (1-2-2) allowed in the back of the net. She faced 19 shots from the Longhorns in the game.

The Sooners did have a few opportunities in the last couple of seconds of the contest. Junior Christy Kenkel blasted a shot that was blocked and Nelson found that deflection and had a shot from within the six-yard box. But Texas' Dana Hall made a key save to preserve the win.

Overall, the Longhorns outshot the Sooners 19-12 in the game and held a 4-1 advantage in the corner kick category. Nelson led the Sooners with three shots and junior Jenny Jones and sophomore Savannah Scott each contributed two shots.

It was the first time in four games that Oklahoma did not play in overtime. With the win in the series' ninth meeting, Texas holds a 5-4 advantage.

The Sooners fell to 4-3-3 overall and 0-2-0 in the Big 12 while the Longhorns improved to 6-4 overall and 2-2 in conference play. Oklahoma is now 3-2-1 away from John Crain Field on the season.

OU will look to end its two-game skid when it continues Big 12 action on Sunday against No. 9/13 Texas A&M in College Station at 1 p.m. The Sooners are without a win in nine all-time meetings with the Aggies.

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