OU Opens Season at Home Against Albany

NORMAN-- The Oklahoma soccer team opens its 2019 campaign at home Thursday night against Albany. The season opener is set for a 7 p.m. start at John Crain Field.

Thursday's match will air online only through Sooner Sports TV. Chris Plank and former OU soccer player Liz Keester will call the action, and Megan McDonald will be on the sidelines. The match will also air on KREF radio (99.3 FM, 1400 AM).

GAMEDAY STORYLINES

A NEW YEAR BEGINS
The Sooners are back and ready to return to their winning ways when the 2019 season kicks off against UAlbany. OU returns seven starters from last year's squad, including 2018 All-Big 12 first team selection Kaylee Dao. OU has won five of seven home openers under head coach Matt Potter and eight of their last 10, dating back to the 2018 season.

FAMILIAR FACES AND A NEW OPPONENT
With 19 games on the schedule, the Sooners will be no stranger to many of their opponents. In fact, the only new team on the roster is the Sooners' game one opponent. UAlbany will be making their first trip to the Sooner State as the two teams will square off for the first time in program history.

DAO NAMED PRESEASON ALL-BIG 12
Oklahoma redshirt senior Kaylee Dao has been named to the Preseason All-Big 12 Soccer Team, the conference office announced Aug. 6. Seven of the conference's 10 programs are represented in the preseason team. Texas led the way with four athletes represented, while West Virginia and TCU earned two spots. Baylor, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Texas Tech each had one athlete on the preseason team.

A forward hailing from Tulsa, Okla., Dao has started 57 games in her four seasons with the Sooners. After missing the majority of her sophomore season due to injury, Dao has been the leading goal-scorer for the Sooners the last two seasons. She has tallied 16 goals in her career, including six game-winners.

Dao has been a two-time first-team All-Big 12 selection, earning honors in 2017 and 2018. Along with her all-freshman team honor in 2015, Dao is just the fourth player in OU history to earn three or more conference honors in a career.

2019 NEWCOMERS
This fall, the Oklahoma soccer team is joined by 13 freshmen in Caroline Berutti, Madison Dichiara, Nicola Lebakos, Jordan Lund, Maya McCutcheon, Megan Nielsen, Shalom Prince, Leah Radow, Sydney Sheehan, Jenna Sheely, Carsyn Smittle, Madison Stenslie and Taylor Tufts. The Sooners welcomed a trio of transfers in the offseason in midfielder Yuuka Kurosaki (Kentucky), defender Erika Middleton (Miami) and goalkeeper Nikki Panas (Arizona State).

"With the 2019 class we have added much needed depth at a number of positions, which in turn helps fuel the competition for playing time and places," head coach Matt Potter said. "Certainly, as a staff we are ready to see what the future can bring us with hard work, and a commitment to the program goals. This is an exciting time for all involved with Sooner soccer."

SCOUTING REPORT

ALBANY
The Great Danes enter 2019 as the favorite to win the America East Conference after winning their third conference title in four years in 2018. UAlbany won a program-best 14 games in 2018 en route to the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. The Great Danes posted a 14-7-2 record under third year head coach Nick Bochette.

UAlbany returns eight starters and 20 letterwinners, while adding 10 recruits. The Great Danes lose Mariah Williams who led the team with 17 goals in 2018 but return 2018 America East Rookie of the Year Jada Colbert.

PROMOTIONS

Face painting from 6-8 p.m.; Giveaway: OU soccer tumbler to first 100 fans; Kids Zone; Postgame autographs

FAN INFORMATION

The University of Oklahoma will join professional sports leagues and many of its college peers this fall when it introduces a clear bag policy and walk-through metal detectors at home football games and all other home athletic events. It is recommended that fans allow extra time for stadium entry.

The approved clear plastic bag size is a maximum of 12 inches x 6 inches x 12 inches or a one-gallon clear plastic freezer bag. Stadium policy will allow non-transparent clutch purses that are no larger than 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches. Bags that are necessary for medical equipment will be searched at marked medical lanes at each gate. No other bags or purses including diaper bags will be permitted and the limit on bags is one per person.

Fans will empty only cell phones, keys and metal objects larger than keys from their pockets before screening. Medical lanes will be marked around the stadium for fans who require alternate screening methods.

TICKETS

SEASON TICKETS
Season tickets are available for purchase online through SoonerSports.com or over the phone at (405) 325-2424 or toll-free at 800-456-GoOU.

SINGLE-MEET TICKETS
Single-meet tickets are available for purchase online through SoonerSports.com or over the phone at (405) 325-2424 or toll-free at 800-456-GoOU. Fans can also purchase tickets on the day of at the east and north entrances.

UP NEXT

The Sooners will travel to Fayetteville, Ark., for a Sunday night matchup with Arkansas. The match is slated for a 6 p.m. start on the SEC Network.