Soccer Battles Against No. 3 UVA

Sunday, September 12

Charlottesville, Va.

11 AM

University of Oklahoma

3-4-1, 0-0-0

Virginia

7-1-0, 0-0-0

Oklahoma

Virginia

September 12, 2021 | Soccer

Box Score Final Stats

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — The University of Oklahoma soccer team dropped a hard-fought battle at No. 3 Virginia, 2-1, Sunday afternoon.

The Sooners (3-4-1) hung tough with the third-ranked squad in the country, taking six shots to UVA's 21 and putting a pair on goal. Senior goalkeeper Nikki Panas held her own, making seven saves in the contest. Senior Bri Amos netted OU's lone goal of the game off an assist in the box from junior Alexis Strickland.

"We have a lot of respect for Virginia, I think over the past 20 years they're one of the most consistent teams in the country," said OU head coach Mark Carr. "You saw what we were able to do today. We had a plan and we were organized. I thought we had the better chances. There were three or four chances there that could've made the difference.

"Where we are in our journey, I think it's a massive step forward. To play a team like that and compete like we did, we had belief throughout the whole game." - Mark Carr

UVA (7-1-0) capitalized in the first half, finding the back of the net in the 30th minute for the first goal of the game. Following a scrum in the six-yard box on an OU corner, Amos found the equalizer for the Sooners in the 47th minute off the assist from Strickland.

Oklahoma played solid defense against a talented offensive team in Virginia, holding the Hoos under their three goals-per-game clip on the season. UVA netted the go-ahead goal in the 55th minute, capitalizing on a penalty kick following an OU foul in the box.

Freshman Ella Pappas got an open look in the 86th minute to even things up again for the Sooners but the attempt squeaked just left of the post, ending the Sooners' chance at the upset.

Amos and senior Lauren Tovy took a pair of shots with Amos putting both of hers on goal, while sophomore Cailey England and Pappas each tallied a chance of their own.

"I'm so proud of how we performed and this will give us real confidence if we use this experience moving forward," concluded Carr.

The Sooners return to the friendly confines of John Crain Field on Thursday where the team is 2-1-1 on the year. OU will welcome Utah Valley for a 7 p.m. CT match. The game can be seen on Bally Sports Oklahoma.

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