Sooners score late to beat Iowa State
NORMAN, Okla. (BVM) – After winning just once in 2020, the Sooners soccer team has officially clinched a spot in this year鈥檚 Big 12 championship after defeating Iowa State.聽
In a rainy battle between the Sooners and Cyclones, Bri Amos鈥� fifth goal of the season capped off an Oklahoma victory. With both teams still pushing for a spot in the tournament, the intensity levels were high amidst the weather.聽
鈥淲e needed the first half to get used to it in order to successfully implement our game plan,鈥� said Oklahoma midfielder Cailey England.
Neither team could take control of the game early, though the Sooners seemed to be out-hustling the Cyclones on the pitch.聽
In the opening minutes, freshman forward Ella Pappas continued to press forward. Pappas nearly had a goal but she couldn’t gain possession and Iowa State鈥檚 keeper was able to make a play on the ball before Pappas could reach it again.
Following successive possession changes, the Cyclones discovered a gap in Oklahoma鈥檚 defense, sending a ball down to forward Lauren McConnell who made a late run down the sideline. But Sooner defender Sheridan Michel’s speed and positioning forced a cutback from McConnell, which Michel capitalized on and quickly inserted herself between McConnell and the ball, sending it back up the field.聽
Oklahoma would continue to hammer the Cyclones defense as the half went on. Spearheaded by an excellent performance by the midfield, many opportunities presented themselves for OU.聽
The Sooners recorded eight shots in the first half, though it wasn鈥檛 till later they would completely take over the game.聽
鈥淭he second half was much better because I was able to get on the ball more and create some chances for our forwards. I think the team as a whole was also more in sync, allowing me to better win the ball back in defense,鈥� England said.聽
Oklahoma鈥檚 continued pressure resulted in eleven second half shots, helping the Sooners finish with a total of 19 shots on goal. Consistent crossing led to multiple chances, and with just under two minutes remaining in the game, the Sooners struck gold.聽
Oklahoma鈥檚 opportunity was set up by a shot from sophomore midfielder Cailey England. England hammered the bouncing ball dropping around 30-yards outside the right side of the net. The impressive shot was denied by Iowa State goalkeeper Jordan Silkowitz who flew across the box to keep the game level.
鈥淚 was confident in the shot going in, that distance has been my lucky spot throughout my career,鈥� said England.聽
On the following corner kick, Erika Yost lured two defenders out of the area as the ball bounced towards the Iowa State end line.
On the following corner kick, Erika Yost lured two defenders out of the area as the ball bounced towards the Iowa State end line. Unfortunately for the Cyclones, the ball came right to Bri Amos who put the ball into the back of the net.
The 1-0 win over Iowa State marks Oklahoma鈥檚 first regulation shutout victory since August.聽
A spot secured in the Big 12 Tournament is an impressive end to a turnaround season for Oklahoma, who only won one conference game in 2020.聽
鈥淎fter last season and our 7-0 loss against Texas Tech, nobody believed we would come back and prove ourselves,鈥� said Cailey.
The Sooners now sit at 7-10-1 overall (3-5 in Big 12 play) with just one game remaining on the schedule against familiar foe Baylor before the Big 12 Championships.
鈥淭o clinch a spot in the tournament is exciting because this opportunity is what we’ve worked so hard for in the past few months鈥� Now we get the chance to show what it really means to be a Sooner,鈥� England said.聽聽
鈥淥ur mindset moving forward is that of an underdog. We will keep our confidence while continuing to learn and improve each practice and game,鈥� said England.
The 2021 Big 12 championship will begin on Oct. 31 in Round Rock, Texas.
