Ramey's Clean Sheet Gives OU a Point in Cincinnati

Sunday, October 8

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University of Oklahoma

6-7-2, 2-3-2

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3-6-5, 2-2-3

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Ramey's Clean Sheet Gives OU a Point in Cincinnati

October 08, 2023 | Soccer

Box Score Final Book

By: OU Athletics Communications

CINCINNATI – Olivia Ramey secured four saves in her first Big 12 start of the season to collect a clean sheet as Oklahoma left Cincinnati with a point after a 0-0 draw vs. the Bearcats on Sunday afternoon.

Oklahoma (6-7-2, 2-3-2 Big 12) threatened offensively most of the game, but it was Ramey and the OU defense that delivered the Sooners their first point since Sept. 24.

The point keeps OU in the race to qualify for the Big 12 Championship, as 10 of the league's 14 teams qualify for the tournament. The Sooners now have eight points, four clear of 11th. After Sunday's contest, Oklahoma only has three remaining matches in the regular season: vs. Texas, vs. No. 7 BYU, at (RV) Oklahoma State.

The Sooners outshot the Bearcats 5-2 in the first half, but none of the chances threatened Cincinnati (3-6-5, 2-2-3 Big 12) goalkeeper Anna Rexford. Ramey wasn't tested in the first half either, as none of the Bearcats' chances made it to the Sooner keeper.

The game opened up in the second half as both teams found themselves in the 18-yard box. OU's best chance of the day came when Emma Hawkins slid past her mark down the end line and fired a shot across the face of Rexford, but the Bearcat keeper made a great save to keep OU off the scoreboard. Oklahoma nearly scored later in the match when Alexis Washington played a through ball across the box that found Keller Matise unmarked. Matise took a touch, fired a shot to the net, but it went just wide to keep the match scoreless.

Three of Ramey's four saves came in the final 10 minutes of the match, with her brightest moment coming in the 84th minute when she saved two shots on goal in 20 seconds to preserve her fifth-career clean sheet and secure Oklahoma a much-needed point in conference play.

The scoreless draw was Oklahoma's first 0-0 result since Aug. 28, 2022 vs. Oklahoma State, and only the third in the last five years. The shutout was Oklahoma's third under first-year head coach Matt Mott, and second against a Big 12 opponent.

The Sooners now return to Oklahoma for a pivotal three-game stretch that opens at home next Thursday when Texas comes to John Crain Field. Oklahoma then hosts No. 7 BYU on Monday, Oct. 16, before traveling to Stillwater for the regular season finale at Oklahoma State on Oct. 19.