Soccer Tops SFA in Exhibition Play

Aug. 15, 2008

NORMAN, Okla. -- The Sooners defeated visiting Stephen F. Austin, 1-0, in exhibition play on Friday at John Crain Field.

Sophomore Kelsey Allison delivered the game-winning goal in the 47th minute and led the Sooners with eight of the squad's 22 shots in the game. Sophomores Whitney Palmer and Sage Coralli, a transfer from Pepperdine, tallied three shots apiece.

OU controlled most of the momentum in SFA's half of the field and held the advantage throughout the contest in shots (22-6) and corner kicks (8-4).

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Redshirt freshman Lisa Jett, a transfer from UCLA, helped anchor the OU defense in the shutout. Jett made four saves in the contest and the Sooners limited the Ladyjacks to two shots in the second half.

The Sooners' offensive attack tallied 11 shots in the first half, most of which were created after the five corner kicks, but came up empty handed on the scoreboard.

The Sooners adjusted in the second half as Allison put away the game winner past SFA goalie Courtney Bauder.

OU had several scoring chances in the exhibition game and finishing those opportunities was something first year head coach Nicole Nelson stressed after the game.

“I am happy with the amount of shots, that means we are creating goal-scoring opportunities,” said Nelson. “But finishing our goal-scoring opportunities will be something that gets better throughout the season.”

In addition to Jett and Coralli, Nelson started two other newcomers with freshmen Kelsey Kraft and Michelle Alexander on defense and in the midfield, respectively.

The Sooners will have six days to prepare for the season opener next weekend. The 2008 regular season kicks off on Friday, August 22 at Colorado College.

Following the season opener, the Sooners return to Norman to host Central Michigan on Friday, Aug. 29 and Ball State on Aug. 31.