Oklahoma Falls to Undefeated Montana on Road

Sunday, September 3

Spokane, WA

1 PM CT

University of Oklahoma

3-3-0, 0-0-0

Montana

5-0-1, 0-0-0

Oklahoma

Montana

Photo by: Morgan Givens/University of Oklahoma

Oklahoma Falls to Undefeated Montana on Road

September 03, 2023 | Soccer

Box Score Final Stats

By: OU Athletics Communications

SPOKANE, Wash. – Despite outshooting its opponent 16-6, Oklahoma soccer was downed 1-0 by undefeated Montana in a neutral-site match on Sunday afternoon in Spokane, Wash.

The Sooners (3-3-0) took nine more shots than Montana (5-0-1) in the second half, tallying six more corners, but a first-half goal from the Grizzlies was the difference as OU couldn't find a goal of its own.

Guided by Sierra Giorgio, who made her first OU start in goal on Sunday, Oklahoma put the first shot on frame of the match when Dani Wolfe nearly scored in the ninth minute. Another shot on goal came in the 18th minute when Leonie Weber had her attempt blocked by the Montana backline before it could reach the frame. Just moments later, a shot from Emma Hawkins required the UM goalkeeper to make her second save of the afternoon to keep the Sooners off the board. Despite momentum holding in favor of the Sooners, Montana scored the game's only goal in the 39th minute when Kathleen Aitchison beat Giorgio with her right foot to make it 1-0.

Looking for their equalizer, the Sooners pressed high in the first half, notching seven shots in the first 30 minutes of the half. Another barrage of attack saw three more Oklahoma shots over a 90-second span, but none of the attempts were on frame as Oklahoma remained scoreless. OU's final shot came from Muriel Kroflin in the 89th minute to no avail, as Montana held on for the 1-0 lead.

Giorgio, a transfer from Syracuse, collected four saves in the loss, marking a new season high. Hawkins' five shots led the Sooners, while five different Oklahoma players recorded a shot on goal.

The Sooners return home to John Crain Field on Thursday night for a match against Murray State (1-4-0) at 7 p.m. in Norman. The game will be available on ESPN+.