OU Upsets No. 9 Arizona State, 1-0, In OT

NORMAN, Okla. The University of Oklahoma soccer team (4-1-3) took down No. 9 (Soccer Buzz) Arizona State (3-3-0), 1-0, in overtime on Sunday in the final game of the Sun Devil Invitational in Tempe, Ariz. Sophomore Kady Kelly scored the game winner in the 92nd minute to give the Sooners their first win in overtime this season in five attempts.

“This is a great win over a legitimate team,” said Oklahoma head coach Randy Evans. “After a frustrating game on Friday against San Diego State, I told the team to just keep plugging away today and they responded with a terrific performance.

“We hit the crossbar on four different occasions on Friday and were held scoreless," said Evans, referring to OU's 0-0 tie. "Today, Kady's shot actually hit the crossbar but the ball deflected in the right direction and found the back of the net.”

Box Score | 2004 Statistics

OU was outshot 16-3 in the game, but OU made the most of one of its shots and once again, the corner kick set up another Sooner score. OU has scored as a result of a corner kick on six occasions this season.

Kelly managed the goal off a corner kick that the ASU defense unsuccessfully tried to clear. Kelly intercepted the ball and put the game away a minute and 31 seconds into overtime. It was Kelly's first goal of the season and the second of her career. Against ASU, Kelly had two of the Sooners' three shots, both of which were on goal.

Senior captain Catherine Wade put together a solid performance in goal with eight saves, recording her second shutout of the season. Arizona State entered the day averaging 2.6 goals a game. The Sun Devils' other two losses of the season came at the hands of a pair of top-five teams -- No. 2 Notre Dame and No. 5 Florida State.

“Our defense did not give up many scoring opportunities and really limited a potent scoring offense,” said Evans. “Catherine was phenomenal in today's game, stopping any chance they had.

“I think this weekend is exactly what this team needed to boost our confidence as we start conference action at home next weekend.”

OU is now 1-1-3 in overtime play this season and, dating back to last season the Sooners have played 11 of their last 18 games in extra time. The Sooners also improved to 3-1 on the road (neutral: 0-0-1) in 2004, after playing their last five games away from John Crain Field. With the win and the tie on Friday night, the Sooners won the Sun Devil Invitational with the best record out of the four teams. Arizona State and Dartmouth went 1-1 while San Diego State finished 0-1-1.

The Sooners will open Big 12 play this week in Norman against Missouri on Friday at 7:30 p.m.