Sooners Fall in Overtime to OSU

Thursday, October 21

Stillwater, Okla.

7 PM

University of Oklahoma

6-10-1, 2-5-0

Oklahoma State

8-5-2, 3-2-1

Team	1	2	3	4	Final F
Oklahoma	0	2	0	0	2
Oklahoma St.	1	1	0	1	3

October 21, 2021 | Soccer

Box Score

By: OU Athletics Communications

STILLWATER, Okla. – Jazzy Richard's brace powered a second-half OU comeback that fell short in double overtime of Thursday night's Bedlam match in Stillwater.

The Sooners (6-10-1, 2-5-0 Big 12) erased a two-goal deficit in the second half but surrendered a golden goal in the 106th minute to fall to Oklahoma State (8-5-2. 3-2-1 Big 12), 3-2. OU outshot the Cowgirls 13-10 in chances on frame and controlled possession for most of the second half and overtime periods.

"Well, they call it Bedlam for a reason," head coach Mark Carr said. "Two really great, tough teams going at tonight and unfortunately we're on the wrong end of the result. But I'm just so proud of our team. I thought we had the most dangerous chances of the game. We talked about creating more chances and tonight we had plenty, but we just didn't finish the ones we needed to tonight. We've got a sad locker room in there right now because they know how close we were, and how in control we were in certain moments, so this is going to be a turning point for us. We aren't done and we've got two more great opportunities.

"Jazzy Richards always finds a way. She is a gamer and we are lucky to have her in this program. Her two goals and just her bravery was massive to pull us back in the game."

The Sooners were the aggressors in the first half of the match, matching the Cowgirls with seven shots and three on goal, with the matches' better looks coming from the Crimson and Cream. The first chance of the night came in the ninth minute when freshman Keera Melenhorst collected a pass from Lauren Haivala and turned on the net, firing a shot on goal that the OSU keeper stopped. A few moments later, Alexis Strickland nearly scored with a right-footed shot that almost squeaked through to the back of the net.

In the 22nd minute, an OSU counter led to a one-on-one chance that Nikki Panas saved, but the redshirt senior was injured in the process, leading to freshman Une Georgsen subbing into the net. Following a drop ball in the same minute, Grace Yochum placed a shot into the upper left corner, putting OSU on top, 1-0. The Sooners would look to equalize in the 39th minute when Bailey Wesco just missed the net from the top of the 18-yard box to send the Sooners into the break down a goal.

Like the first half, Oklahoma looked strong early in the second half, creating numerous opportunities for quick attacks, but couldn't find the equalizer. The Cowgirls were awarded a corner in the 54th minute, leading to a goal from OSU's Megan Haines, making it 2-0.

With their backs against the wall, the Sooners once again clawed back into the match. The first OU goal of the night came in the 76th minute when freshman Anna Perry played a long ball over the top of the Cowgirl defense that found the head of Jazzy Richards, who finished for her fifth goal of the season to make it 2-1. Richards would continue her hot streak in the 81st minute when the senior received a through ball from Ella Pappas and promptly buried the equalizer to tie the match at two, sending Bedlam into overtime.

"I could not be more proud of this team," Carr added. "We're so young and a lot of our young players played big roles tonight. Une came in and played in her first Bedlam match, Sheridan (Michel) ran people down all night in the back and Anna Perry was so tough for us with no one getting by her. I can't not mention Jazzy Richards. Jazzy does what Jazzy does. I'm so excited for our program - and yes, tonight's result hurts, but if you look at the performance, it was a truly unbelievable performance."

Bri Amos nearly slotted the game-winning goal from outside the 18-yard box in the first overtime period, but her shot found the post and didn't fully cross the end line, extending the game. The Sooners fired three more shots in the first overtime but weren't able to find a winner.

OU's freshmen shined under the bright lights of Bedlam as Perry and Pappas' assists got the Sooners back into the game, while Lonnie Weber and Keera Melenhorst's midfield chemistry pressed the Cowgirls for the duration of the match. Those four paired with Georgsen all came up big for Carr's side over and over again.

The second overtime period favored the Cowgirls, who launched a quick counter in the 106th minute that led to a Yochum shot that a diving Une Georgsen saved. However, the deflection found the foot of Samiah Phiri, who finished for the Cowgirls, giving OSU a 3-2 Bedlam win.

The Sooners will look to climb in the Big 12 standings Sunday when they travel to Ames, Iowa, for a showdown with Iowa State (4-10-0, 1-5-0 Big 12) before returning to Norman Oct. 28 for Senior Night vs. Baylor.