Gritty Win over ORU Caps Soccer Slate

Oral Roberts

Oklahoma

Box Score

Highlights

Replay

Photo Gallery

Article

Stat Comparison
Category	ORU	OU
Shots	7	13
Shots on Goal	7	4
Corners	3	0
Fouls	18	10

Scoring Summary
Player	Assist	Time
OU: Chelsea Jackson	-	6:27

OU Goalkeepers
Player	Mins	GA	S
OU: Kassidie Stade	90:00	0	4
ORU: Maddie Rhdes	90:00	1	6

Player of the Game
Kassidie Stade // RSo. // GK Kassidie Stade was lights-out in her first start of the season, posting four saves (all in the second half) to shut out ORU and aid the Sooners to victory. When ORU came out swinging with physical play in the second half, Stade's athleticism in the goal kept the Golden Eagles from finding an equalizer. The redshirt sophomore saved every shot on goal that came her way in the second half to preserve the shutout and help Oklahoma to its sixth win of the season.

Player of the Game

Kassidie Stade // RSo. // GK
Kassidie Stade was lights-out in her first start of the season, posting four saves (all in the second half) to shut out ORU and aid the Sooners to victory. When ORU came out swinging with physical play in the second half, Stade's athleticism in the goal kept the Golden Eagles from finding an equalizer. The redshirt sophomore saved every shot on goal that came her way in the second half to preserve the shutout and help Oklahoma to its sixth win of the season.

NORMAN, Okla. -- After a dominant first half, the Oklahoma soccer team outlasted Oral Roberts in a gritty 1-0 victory at John Crain Field on Friday night.

The Sooners outshot the Golden Eagles by a margin of 11-0 in the first half, but surrendered seven shots (four on goal) in the second half while posting only two of their own. Sooner goalkeeper Kassidie Stade stepped up in a big way to help OU, picking up four saves to keep ORU off the board in the final 45 minutes of play.

Oklahoma struck first and struck fast when gameplay began on a warm and bright fall evening in Norman. Abby Hodgen drove down the right side and fired a quick shot on goal at ORU goalkeeper Maddie Rhodes and Rhodes was able to block away. The ball was deflected and true freshman Chelsea Jackson was right on Hodgen's heels to send in the short-range shot and give OU an early 1-0 lead in the sixth minute.

The Sooners had Oral Roberts on its heels throughout the first half but were slightly off target on several key opportunities. Madison Kinzer connected on a header in the eighth minute that narrowly flew high, while Lizzie Luallin sent in a header of her own in the 11th minute that also sailed over the goal. An additional pair of headers from Ayana O'Neal and Shiloh Price were also off-target to keep the Sooners from increasing their lead.

Rhodes was forced to make plenty of plays in the first half as well. Oklahoma fired six shots on goal in the first half, with Rhodes saving five to keep the Golden Eagles in the contest.

ORU's Madison Valenzuela got a big chance right out of the gates to start the second half, driving down the left side to fire a big shot that slipped just over the goal. The Golden Eagles were back in the 59th minute as Kayla Keller sent two big shots on goal toward Stade. Stade rose to the occasion with two hugely athletic saves, blocking one ball before controlling and diving to make a powerful save on the second.

The match became even more physical as the half wore on, with ORU notching 11 fouls compared to Oklahoma's three in the second half as they searched for an equalizing goal. OU's defense held, pressing back to keep the Golden Eagles off the board as minutes ticked off the clock. A late yellow card on Valenzuela in the 85th minute took wind out of ORU's sails: the Golden Eagles would notch one more shot on goal, but Stade scooped up an easy save and the match went final.

With Jackson's goal, 10 different Sooners have notched goals this season. The Sooners wrap up non-conference play with a 6-3-2 record overall and will head into a whole new season with conference play.

The Sooners will begin Big 12 competition next weekend with a two-match road weekend. OU will open conference play on Friday, Oct. 3 at 7 p.m. CT against No. 6 Texas Tech before heading north to face Iowa State in Ames on Sunday, Oct. 5 at 1 p.m. CT.

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Abby Hodgen

Chelsea Jackson

Madison Kinzer

Lizzie Luallin

Ayana O'Neal

Shiloh Price

Kassidie Stade

Sponsors

University of Oklahoma Athletics