Sooners Tame Cats for Second Straight Win

Sunday, October 17

Norman

1 PM

University of Oklahoma

6-9-1, 2-4-0

Kansas State

6-8-2, 1-4-2

Kansas St.

Oklahoma

Sooners Tame Cats for Second Straight Win

October 17, 2021 | Soccer

Box Score Box Score: OU 2, KSU 1 Photo Gallery

NORMAN — The University of Oklahoma soccer team won its second consecutive Big 12 conference match Sunday afternoon, defeating Kansas State 2-1 at John Crain Field.

"We're going to celebrate this one," head coach Mark Carr said after the win. "Winning two in a row is a nice achievement for us after a difficult stretch of games. Today, I'm just really proud of our team because we had to make a decision on which way we would go after a few losses, and I knew that we would choose the right way."

"I want to give credit to Kansas State," Carr added. "Today was one of those games that you just have to grind it out and it wasn't pretty but we got the win and that's what counts. Two wins and six points is what we needed this week. Now we've got more games to go and goals to reach."

Oklahoma (6-9-1) went up early courtesy of junior Alexis Strickland in the 21st minute. After freshman Leonie Weber took a shot that the KSU keeper deflected, Strickland was there for the finish, finding the back of the net off the deflection for her first goal as a Sooner.

"I'm really proud of Lexi, her goal and overall contribution to this team," continued Carr. "It's not easy to transfer in and deal with a lot of change but she has kept her head down and I know this is just the beginning for her."

After the final 24 minutes of the first half went scoreless, Kansas State (6-8-2) found the equalizer in the first minute of the second half. Kyler Goins converted after the Wildcats played a long through ball that got behind the OU defense to even the match in the 46th minute.

Senior Bri Amos scored the go-ahead goal and eventual game-winner in the 49th minute. Freshman Keera Melenhorst played a through ball to Amos who, from outside of the 18-yard box, placed a ball perfectly across goal into the upper-90 of the top right corner. It marked Amos' fourth goal of the season, good for a tie for the team lead.

The Sooners held off the Wildcats' attacks in the final 41 minutes of the match to win their second consecutive Big 12 conference match after defeating Kansas on Thursday.

KSU held the advantage in shots, 18-12, while the Sooners took four corners to K-State's one. OU senior keeper Nikki Panas recorded six saves in the match with five coming in the first half.

OU improves to 5-2-1 at home and collects six points from the previous two matches, one of only two Big 12 schools to go undefeated this week, joining No. 11 TCU.

The Sooners return to the pitch Thursday in Stillwater for Bedlam versus Oklahoma State at 7 p.m. CT. The game can be seen via subscription on Big 12 NOW on ESPN+.

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