Seniors Lead Oklahoma Past ORU

NORMAN, Okla. -- Coming off a disappointing loss on Friday in the Big 12 opener to Oklahoma State, the Oklahoma soccer team rebounded with a 3-0 victory over in-state rival Oral Roberts at John Crain Field on Sunday.

The Sooner offense recorded season highs in shots (32) and corner kicks (10) to record their second multi-goal game of 2006.

After a scoreless first half that saw OU outshoot ORU 16-6, the squad fired another 16 shots en route to three second half goals.

Seniors Savannah Scott and Christie Smeal and junior Colleen Keester each netted goals to provide the scoring as junior goalkeeper Jennifer Nichols shut down ORU with her third shutout of the season. Senior Kady Kelly recorded the first two-assist game of her career, tying a school record which has been accomplished nine previous times at OU (last by Lauren MacIver vs. Oral Roberts on Sept. 18, 2005).

Box Score | Cumulative Stats | Photos | 2006 Schedule

“After Friday's uncharacteristic game, we were looking for higher level of energy and emotion tonight,” said OU head coach Randy Evans. “We needed to pick ourselves up and I thought our effort and intensity was terrific tonight against Oral Roberts.”

The win improves the Sooners' overall record to 3-5 (0-1 Big 12), while the Golden Eagles fell to 1-4-2 on the season. Sunday's game marked the tenth meeting in the series, which OU has dominated with an 8-2 advantage, including a 4-0 mark at home.

Scott scored the game's initial goal in the 49th minute on a header placed across the box from Kelly. It was the first assist of the season for Kelly, who leads the Sooners in 2006 with three goals and eight points.

After Smeal's first career goal at the 75:11 mark (assisted by freshman Ashley Farrand), Kelly got involved in the scoring again. In the final minutes of the game, Kelly dribbled down the left side of the field into open space and placed the ball right to the feet of Keester, who converted her first goal of the season in the 89th minute and the second tally of her career.

The Sooner defense, led by Nichols' tenth career shutout, also responded on Sunday after allowing two goals in a two and half minute span on Friday to OSU. Nichols (3-5) made six saves on the night opposite her counterpart's, Shelbi Morrison, nine stops. The Sooners' goalkeeper is now one shutout shy of tying second place all-time at OU behind Jana Cunningham.

Sunday's game marked the end of the Sooners' six-game home stand, which finished with a 3-3 mark. OU will look to carry Sunday's momentum on the road as it faces the first road test of the Big 12 season on Friday, Sept. 22 at Colorado (5-1-1). The game against the Buffaloes will be followed by another home game for the Sooners on Sunday, Sept. 24 against Kansas (5-2-0) at 1 p.m.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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