Sooners Return to Norman for Thursday Match

NORMAN — Oklahoma returns home to John Crain Field in Norman on Thursday night for an 8 p.m. showdown with Murray State. The match will be broadcast on SoonerVision on ESPN+, with Chad McKee calling the action.

The Sooners aim to maintain perfection at home after opening the season with a trio of victories at John Crain Field where they outscored opponents 18-3.

Last season, Oklahoma and Murray State clashed, with the Sooners securing a 2-0 victory thanks to goals by Michelle Pak and Emma Hawkins.

FOR THE FANS

Thursday's match will start at 8 p.m., an hour later than the originally scheduled time due to heat concerns for student-athletes and fans. Gates open one hour prior to first touch, and a clear-bag policy will be in order. For more information please visit our event website.

The contest marks OU Soccer's Hispanic Heritage Night and fans will receive an exclusive Los Sooners shirt as supplies last. In addition to Hispanic Heritage Night fesitivities, the Pride of Oklahoma will perform at halftime of the match .

SEASON STORYLINES

• Home Sweet Home: It's been a tale of two locations for the Sooners in 2023 as OU is undefeated (3-0) at home and outscoring opponents 18-3, but is 0-3 away from John Crain Field and has been outscored 8-0. Thursday's return marks the start of a two-week, two-match home stand. The Sooners' three-match win streak at home is tied for the longest in eight seasons, as Oklahoma hasn't won four consecutive home games since it won four in a row during the 2015 season from Aug. 30 to Sept. 20. The 3-0 start at home under Mott is the best home start for a first-year coach in program history. Sooner fans have packed JCF this season as OU averages 880 fans at home games, which is the sixth highest in the Big 12.

• A Look at the #: Oklahoma ranks inside the national top 25 in several categories: assists/game (3.00; 17th); points/game (9.00; 21st); goals/game (3.00; 23rd); SOG/game (10.5; 9th) and total points (54; 16th). Emma Hawkins, who earned national player of the week honors earlier this year, ranks 25th nationally in points per game after she notched a school-record seven points in a win over Oral Roberts. Her 2.82 SOG/game ranks second nationally.

• Balanced Attack: Oklahoma has three players that rank in the top 50 nationally in assists. Alexis Washington, Leo Weber and Dani Wolfe each have three assists on the year, good for 44th in the country.

OU vs. Tulsa Soccer. 8/17/23. _{Sooner Nation has showed up in droves this season, averaging 880 fans at home matches}_{- sixth most in the Big 12.}

UP NEXT

Following OU's contest with Murray State, the Sooners are off this weekend and return to action on Thursday, Sept. 14 when they host Kansas in the Big 12 opener at 7 p.m.

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