OU Welcomes SMU, Houston to Norman

NORMAN -- The Oklahoma soccer team returns to the friendly confines of John Crain Field for its final two non-conference matches of the season. OU will face SMU on Thursday at 7 p.m. and Houston on Sunday at 1 p.m.

Both games will air on Fox Sports Oklahoma and the Fox Sports Go app. Chad McKee and former OU soccer player Liz Keester will call the action, with Christian Nunley on the sidelines against SMU and Megan McDonald on the sidelines against Houston. Sunday's match will also air on KREF radio (1400 AM).

GAMEDAY STORYLINES

HOME SWEET 'HOMA
For the first time since Aug. 29, the Sooners are back at John Crain Field. OU opened the season with a 1-0 win over Albany in Norman, before tying Oklahoma State, 2-2, on Aug. 29. Since the Bedlam matchup, the Sooners have played just one game in the state of Oklahoma when they played at Tulsa on Sept. 1. OU has been on the road for a stretch of five straight games, compiling a 2-2-1 record away from Norman.

THE WEEKEND RECAP
The Sooners went 0-1-1 on the weekend, drawing Nebraska and falling to Creighton. On Sept. 13, OU and Nebraska played 110 minutes of scoreless soccer as the Sooners picked up their second tie of the season. Sophomore Megan McClay picked up her second clean sheet of the year as she recorded four saves. On Sept. 15, OU fell 3-1 to Creighton as Kristina O'Donnell tallied the lone goal, her first of the year, for the Sooners. McClay suffered her first loss of the season and corralled five saves in the game.

UNDERCLASSMEN DEPTH DISPLAYED
The Sooners have showcased their depth this season with 22 players seeing action. Of those 22, 15 are underclassmen and eight are freshmen. Freshmen Jordan Lund has started all eight games this season for OU and has played the third-most minutes at 704. Fellow freshman Sydney Sheehan has started seven games while Caroline Berutti has started six.

SUNDAYS ARE FOR THE SOONERS
Through the first month of the season, the Sooners have shown that Sunday is their favorite day, posting a 3-1-0 record in Sunday games. OU won its first three Sunday games of the year and have scored at least one goal in every game. OU has won two overtime games on Sundays with wins at Arkansas (Aug. 25) and Tulsa (Sept. 1) and defeated Arizona in regulation, 2-1, on Sept. 8. Senior Kaylee Dao has scored at least one goal in three of the four Sunday games, including two game winners. McClay is 3-1-0 on Sundays in goal in this season.

WEEKENDS ARE FOR ROAD WARRIORS
With six away games under their belts, the Sooners have proven they can get the job done away from John Crain Field. During opening weekend, OU defeated Arkansas, 1-0, in double overtime thanks to a golden goal from senior Kaylee Dao. The win snapped the Razorbacks' 11-game undefeated streak at home. In week two, Dao was once again clutch on the road as she had yet another golden goal to defeat Tulsa, 3-2. OU has suffered just two road losses, dropping games to Arizona (Sept. 8) and Creighton (Sept. 15), while picking up a draw against Nebraska (Sept. 13). The Sooners three road victories this season matches their total wins away from home in 2018.

IN THE RECORD BOOKS
Kaylee Dao has broken her way into the OU record books this season. With six goals on the year, the Tulsa, Okla., native has brought her career total to 22 to rank fourth-all time. Dao is also ranked fourth in program history with eight game-winning goals in her career.

COMEBACK KIDS
Twice this season, the Sooners have overcome deficits with avengance. When Oklahoma State came to town on Aug. 29, OU found itself in a 2-0 hole with just 15 minutes left in regulation. Kaylee Dao stepped up with a penalty kick conversion in the 75^th minute and an equalizer in the 87^th minute to lead OU to a comeback draw. Just three days later and with OU down, 2-1, Dao once again found the equalizer and the game-winner as OU secured the 3-2 comeback victory over Tulsa.

ON THE HORIZON
As the non-conference slate wraps up, the start of Big 12 play looms in the near distance. The Sooners will open league play on the road at TCU on Sept. 26 and Texas Tech on Sept. 29. The Big 12 home opener will be against Kansas State on Oct. 3.

SCOUTING REPORT

SMU
The Mustangs are off to a strong start in 2019, posting a 6-1-0 record. SMU's lone blemish is a 1-0 loss to TCU on Sept. 1. SMU has allowed just two goals this season, posting five shutouts, including three-straight from Sept. 6 – Sept. 15.

The Mustangs have notched 19 goals on 18 assists this season. Allie Thornton leads the way with seven goals while Celiana Torres boasts a team-best five assists. Seven athletes have contributed at least one goal, with five tallying at least two. In goal, Tatum Sutherland has seen 540 minutes of action, notching 17 saves and allowing just a pair of goals.

HOUSTON
Houston is 3-5-0 on the season and snapped a three-game losing streak after defeating Stephen F. Austin on Sept. 15. The Cougars have wins over SFA and Incarnate Word this season, with losses to Rice, CSUN, Cal State Fullerton and Oregon State.

The Cougars have tallied eight goals on the year, led by a pair of goals each from Parker Nolin and Reid Morrison. Six athletes have recorded at least one goal and five have earned at least one assist. Three keepers have seen minutes this season with Koral Hughes notching 292 to lead all three keepers. Hughes has allowed five goals and notched eight saves. As a staff, the Houston keepers have allowed 15 goals and made 18 saves.

PROMOTIONS

Face painting from 6-8 p.m.; Giveaway: OU shirt-jersey to first 250 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-game 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 stadium.

UP NEXT

The Sooners will open league play on the road at TCU on Sept. 26 and Texas Tech on Sept. 29.

GAMEDAY STORYLINES

SCOUTING REPORT

PROMOTIONS

FAN INFORMATION

TICKETS

UP NEXT

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Caroline Berutti

Kaylee Dao

Jordan Lund

Megan McClay

Kristina O'Donnell

Sydney Sheehan

Sponsors

University of Oklahoma Athletics