Mooney Nets Hat Trick in Exhibition Win

Aug. 13, 2010

Oklahoma 6, Northern Colorado 1 | Box Score

	1	2	OT	F
Northern Colo.	0	1	-	1
Oklahoma	1	5	-	6

Top Performers
Player	G	A	Shots	SOG
OU - Mooney	3	0	4	3
UNCO - Cook	1	0	1	1

Goalkeepers
Player	Minutes	GA	Saves
OU - Devonshire	54:57	1	2
Opp - Salminen	90:00	6	8

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NORMAN, Okla. -- Oklahoma sophomore Caitlin Mooney shined in her debut as a Sooner with three second half goals en route to a 6-1 OU victory over Northern Colorado in exhibition play on Friday at the OU Soccer Complex.

Mooney, an Oklahoma native and product of Edmond Sante Fe High School, transferred to OU after appearing in the Sweet 16 with the University of Maryland a year ago.

"It feels great," said Mooney about playing back in her home state. "I missed it while I was out in Maryland and now that its back, it's a good feeling to be able to play in front my friends and family. I just wanted to come out and do what I could and help the team anyway I could."

Sooner Head Coach Nicole Nelson, who enters her third year at the helm, couldn't have been more pleased with Mooney's debut.

"I'd say it was a great welcome home," said Nelson. "I'll take that as her first game in a Sooner uniform any day."

Prior to Mooney's offensive display, the Sooners held just a one-goal lead after the first 45 minutes of action. Sophomore Dria Hampton put OU on the board after she placed a free kick from 24 yards out into the upper 90 corner of the near post.

OU's defense allowed five shots in the first half and sophomore goalkeeper Kelsey Devonshire was forced to make two saves, one on a near score with a Bears' attacker in the six-yard line box.

"That was the difference in the first half, us trying to settle down and organize that back line," added Nelson. "They were pretty unstable in the first half and I thought they did a good job adjusting in the second half."

The defense limited UNCO to three shots in the second half and helped pave the way for the offense, led by Mooney, to explode in the final 45 minutes.

While Mooney tallied scores in the 55th, 66th and 68th minutes, OU also received contributions from a familiar face, senior Whitney Palmer, who gave OU a 2-0 lead.

The preseason All-Big 12 pick showed off her speed throughout the contest and after her initial shot was saved by Bears' goalkeeper Kirstin Salminen, she gathered the deflection and found the back of the net in the 50th minute.

The Bears cut the lead down to 2-1 after Ariel Cook scored on a blast from 35 yards out, but the Sooners immediately countered on Mooney's first score and thanks to another newcomer, freshman Zoe Dickson. The youngest of three sisters to play at Oklahoma (Norrelle - softball and Tiana-soccer), Dickson benefitted from an assist from Palmer at the 58:19 mark.

The Sooners tallied 12 shots in each half and Palmer had a game-high seven, followed by Mooney with four.

Oklahoma will open the 2010 regular season on Friday, Aug. 20 at 7 p.m. against Oklahoma State. The non-conference installment of the Bedlam Series will be played in Stillwater, Okla. The Cowgirls will return the trip on Oct. 29 for a Big 12 showdown and season finale at the OU Soccer Complex.

Mooney Nets Hat Trick in Exhibition Win

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Mooney Nets Hat Trick in Exhibition Win

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