University of Oklahoma Athletics
Bedlam Set for Thursday in Norman
August 28, 2019 | Soccer
NORMAN-- The Oklahoma soccer team will host the first of two Bedlam games this season on Thursday, Aug. 28. The Sooners and Cowgirls will square off at John Crain Field at 7 p.m. CT.
Thursday's match will be available on Fox Sports Plus and the Fox Sports Go app. Chad McKee 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
IT'S BEDLAM
Sunday's match against Oklahoma State marks the first Bedlam Series opener across all sports in 2019. The non-conference contest will be the first of two showdowns between the Sooners and the Cowgirls this season, with the second taking place on Oct. 25 in Stillwater. The schools have met twice a year since 2010, with the teams splitting the series in 2018. Of OU's nine wins in the Bedlam series, seven have come under eighth-year head coach Matt Potter.
THROWBACK THURSDAY
After Oklahoma State won the opening Bedlam game in 2018, the Sooners responded by taking home the victory in conference play on their home field. Trailing 1-0 in the second half, Emily Parker found the back of the net in the 71st minute to know things up at 1-1. With just under two minutes to play, senior Kristina O'Donnell recorded her first goal of the year to lift the Sooners to victory. The win snapped a four-game losing streak to the Cowgirls.
WEEKENDS ARE FOR WARRIORS
The Sooners faced a tough opening weekend facing a pair of 2018 NCAA Tournament teams. OU secured its first season opening win since 2014, defeating Albany 1-0 on Aug. 22. Yuuka Kurosaki, a junior transfer from Kentucky, tallied her first goal as a Sooner to lead OU to victory. On Aug. 25, the Sooners hit the road for Fayetteville, Ark., to face a Razorback squad that won 14 games in 2018. Senior Kaylee Dao scored the double-overtime golden goal to lift the Sooners to the 1-0 win.
PANAS RECOGNIZED BY BIG 12
Goalkeeper Nikki Panas was named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week after helping lead the Oklahoma soccer team to a victory at Arkansas.
A transfer from Arizona State, Panas was instrumental in the Sooners' double-overtime road victory on Sunday night. In her first appearance in the Crimson and Cream, Panas recorded a pair of saves and made multiple clutch plays to keep the Razorbacks off the board.
ON THE HORIZON
The Sooners will embark on a five-game road swing beginning Sunday, Sept. 1, at Tulsa. OU will head to Arizona for a pair of games against Arizona (Sept. 6) and Arizona State (Sept. 8), before returning to the Midwest. OU will travel to former Big 12 foe Nebraska on Sept. 13 and wrap up the road swing at Creighton on Sept. 15.
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. 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."
DAO NAMED PRESEASON ALL-BIG 12
Oklahoma redshirt senior Kaylee Dao was named to the Preseason All-Big 12 Soccer Team, the conference office announced Aug. 6. 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.
SCOUTING REPORT
Oklahoma State sits at 1-0-0 on the year after having its second game of opening weekend cancelled after the first half due to weather. OSU defeated Lamar, 3-0, in its season opener with Jaci Jones, Olyvia Dowell and Gabriella Coleman all netting goals. In goal, Hannah Warner notched four saves to record the clean sheet.
OSU and UTSA were locked in a 1-1 draw after the first 45 minutes of play on Sunday before weather moved into the area. Because of lightening and field conditions, the game was canceled.
PROMOTIONS
Face painting from 6-8 p.m.; Giveaway: OU soccer headband 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 head to instate rival Tulsa on Sunday, Sept. 1, for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.
