Sooners Shut Out Spartans, 1-0

NORMAN, Okla. -- After a disappointing 2-0 loss on Friday in the home opener, the OU soccer team rebounded on Sunday with a 1-0 victory over visiting Michigan State at John Crain Field. Junior Shana All provided the game-winning goal (second of her career) to give the Sooners their first win of the 2006 season.

The win snapped the Sooners' three-game losing streak and improved them to 1-3 overall. Michigan State dropped to 1-3 with the loss.

The game winner came in the 50th minute when All found herself dribbling all alone at the top of the MSU box before she faked out the MSU goalkeeper to place the ball in the back of the net. All's effort was assisted by the Spartans' Maureen Pawlak who tried to prevent the goal but only sped up the scoring process.

Box Score | Cumulative Stats | Photos | 2006 Schedule

After firing just 21 shots and scoring one goal in the first three games of the season, OU's offense came alive on Sunday with a season-high 17 shots, including several scoring chances in the Michigan State box, despite scoring just one goal.

“In the first half we were not attacking down the flanks enough and we spread it out in the second half and had more success,” said head coach Randy Evans. “Its nice to get that first win, but we still have a lot of work to do. We continue to create good scoring opportunities but are failing to capitalize on those chances.”

In the first half, freshman Daphne Fitzpatrick provided the Sooners with their best scoring chance with a nicely played ball across the front of the goal to senior Savannah Scott, who missed the back of the net wide right.

Scott and junior Tenesha Duncan led Oklahoma with four shots apiece. MSU outshot the Sooners 19-17, but trailed 6-5 in corner kicks.

Junior goalkeeper Jennifer Nichols recorded her first win of the season after posting a season-high seven saves. The win also marked the eighth career shutout for Nichols, who is third all-time at OU behind Jana Cunningham (11) and Catherine Wade (18).

For Michigan State, Nicole Galas made four saves en route to her second loss of the year. Pawlak led the Spartans with six shots in the contest.

Friday's game was the first meeting between the two teams and the first win for the Sooners at the newly renovated John Crain Field, which underwent a $4.5 million dollar expansion in the off-season.

The Sooners return to action next weekend with a pair of home games against Purdue on Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Stephen F. Austin on Sunday at 1 p.m.

Next weekend's game, as well as the Sooners' entire home schedule, can be seen live on the O-Zone, Soonersports.com's premium web site. Live Stats can also be tracked by clicking the following link - Live Stats.

Next Event

Sponsors

University of Oklahoma Athletics