OU Drops Opener to Texas

Friday, September 25

Austin, Texas

7 PM

University of Oklahoma

0-1-0, 0-1-0

Texas

1-2-0, 1-2-0

Team	1	2	Final F
Oklahoma	0	0	0
Texas	0	1	1

September 25, 2020 | Soccer

Box Score Box Score

AUSTIN – The Oklahoma soccer team dropped its season opener Friday in a tough 1-0 decision to Texas in Austin.

"I'm super proud of our group," said first-year OU head coach Mark Carr. "We're going to go in to every game thinking we can win and people saw what we are capable of in the first 20 minutes tonight.

"I think the difference between us and Texas is they've had three games and we've had one. Fatigue became a factor, not an excuse, but that's just where we're at right now. We have to close the gap but we had moments that we saw what this team is capable of. Statistically, you look at the corners and shots and they're very close. The only difference was the one goal they scored."

"All in all for our team, this is a really good platform for us to build off," said Carr.

The Sooners (0-1-0) were on the attack early in the match, recording three shots in the first 35 minutes with sophomore Sakura Yoshida's look in the 35th minute being OU's one shot on frame in the first half.

Senior Erika Yost gave the Sooners another solid look in the first, setting up freshman Cailey England but England's volleyed shot sailed right of the net. The Sooners held the advantage in shots in the first 45 minutes, 4-3.

Texas (1-2-0) came out aggressive in the second half with two shots on goal in the first five minutes of the period but OU senior goalkeeper Nikki Panas turned the Longhorns back with consecutive saves.

Senior Bri Amos put two shots on goal in the second half for OU with her best look coming in the 53rd minute, a shot from the left side that UT goalie Savannah Madden just punched over the crossbar.

In the 63rd minute, Texas broke the scoreless battle with Haley Berg finding Presley Nichols on the cross who converted for Texas following a battle in the box for the ball.

OU had a handful of late-game opportunities off corner kicks but couldn't find the back of the net as UT's Madden had two saves in the final stages. The Sooners finished the game with six corners to UT's two.

Texas narrowly outshot OU 11-10 on the night, including a 4-3 shot on goal advantage. Yoshida, Amos and England led the Sooners with two shots a piece, while Yost, senior Reagan Glisson and sophomore Caroline Berutti each notched one. Panas finished with three saves on the evening.

The Sooners return to action Friday, Oct. 2 vs. Texas Tech in Norman. The match is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. CT at John Crain Field.

For updates and more information, follow the Sooners on Twitter and Instagram (@OU_WSoccer) and like Oklahoma Soccer on Facebook.