Tourney Time in Oklahoma

NCAA First Round
Oklahoma vs. Arkansas
Nov. 14 | 7 p.m. | Norman, Okla.

Notes

Player to Watch
Kaitlyn Fahrner // GK // Las Vegas, Nev. A four-time Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week this season, Fahrner will help lead OU's defensive front in her first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance. Fahrner owns six solo shutouts in the net this season, including two since Oct. 31. With 137 more minutes on the pitch, Fahrner will also break Kelsey Devonshire's single-season record at OU for minutes in goal (2,046).

Player to Watch

Kaitlyn Fahrner // GK // Las Vegas, Nev.
A four-time Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week this season, Fahrner will help lead OU's defensive front in her first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance. Fahrner owns six solo shutouts in the net this season, including two since Oct. 31. With 137 more minutes on the pitch, Fahrner will also break Kelsey Devonshire's single-season record at OU for minutes in goal (2,046).

The first 200 OU students at Friday night's match will receive a free ticket with a valid OU ID.

SOONER NOTEBOOK: NCAA FIRST ROUND

1. THIRD TIME'S A CHARM
Oklahoma's appearance in the 2014 NCAA Soccer Championship field marks the program's third all-time and first under head coach Matt Potter. The Sooners previously advanced to the field of 64 in 2003 (at Tennessee) and in 2010 (at Washington). OU will seek the program's first-ever tourney win on Friday night against Arkansas at it hosts the first NCAA match ever at John Crain Field in Norman.

2. BORDER BATTLE
Oklahoma holds a perfect 7-0-0 record all-time against Arkansas, last facing the Razorbacks in the 2005 season. The Sooners have outscored UA 19-4 in those seven matches but will face a resurgent Arkansas squad that owns back-to-back NCAA appearances under head coach Colby Hale. The Razorbacks took on two Big 12 squads in 2014, besting Oklahoma State by a mark of 2-1 at home and finishing in a scoreless tie versus Texas on the road.

3. DEFENSIVE DOMINANCE
Oklahoma's resurgence in 2014 has gone hand-in-hand with the squad's skill on defense: OU is 10-3-4 this season when surrendering one or fewer goals in a match. The Sooners have allowed the program's second-fewest goals in a single season this year (21) while posting a program-best goals-against average of 0.85 through 22 matches. The squad's eight total shutouts this season are one shy of the OU single season record as well.

4. BATTLE TESTED
Oklahoma's schedule was built for postseason-readiness, and the Sooners have benefitted. OU's slate ranked among the nation's top 25 toughest schedules at No. 20 overall, with the squad facing eight opponents ranked in at least one poll and four top 10 teams. The squad finished the regular season at 5-3 against ranked foes, holding more wins over ranked opponents than any other Big 12 team.

5. ON THE ATTACK
OU's offense has been on the attack over its last three matches, logging 40 shots in that span (including a 16-10 advantage in shots on goal). The Sooners forced a total of 18 corners in the Big 12 Championship while limiting their three foes to just eight total attempts as well.

Players Mentioned

Kaitlyn Fahrner

Sponsors

University of Oklahoma Athletics