Sunday College Soccer Roundup

Sooners Crush Texas State

Norman, Okla. -- Three Oklahoma soccer newcomers notched four goals on Sunday afternoon as the Sooners downed Texas State by a score of 4-0 at the OU Soccer Complex. Oklahoma's (2-2-0) four goals against the Bobcats (2-2-0) were the most in a single game for OU since 2011.

The Sooners posted one of their most complete efforts of the season, logging 19 shots and 12 shots on goal while limiting Texas State to just three shots on goal in eight total shots. Kassadie Stade earned the win in the goal for OU, logging her first career shutout and the second shutout for Oklahoma this season.

True freshman Jamie Iurato led the way for the Sooners offensively, notching two goals in under fifteen minutes to give her four career goals in four games at OU. Freshman Caren Nelson notched Oklahoma's first goal of the game, and junior college transfer Daisy Cardona posted her first career goal as a Sooner in the 71st minute of play.

The match remained scoreless through the 26th minute before Nelson struck for the Sooners, taking a pass from senior Zoe Dickson on the right side of the box to earn her first career goal at Oklahoma. The assist was Dickson's first this season and the third of her career.

OU carried a 1-0 lead into halftime but continued to keep the Bobcats on their toes, forcing Texas State goalkeeper Natalie Gardini to make eight total saves on the day. At the 71-minute mark, Madison Saliba sent in a cross from the left side to Cardona, who headed the ball in past Gardini to boost Oklahoma's lead to 2-0.

Iurato got a strong look for the Sooners several minutes later, but her powerful attempt was foiled by Gardini. Undeterred, Iurato struck back in the 75th minute, sending in an unassisted goal for her third goal of the season. Just 13 minutes later, Iurato sent in a goal on a cross from Devin Barrett to give OU a 4-0 lead that would stand as the final score.

Iurato's two-goal performance marks the second time this season a Sooner freshman has scored two goals in game (Madison Saliba vs. Kennesaw State, Aug. 25). Oklahoma's four team goals were the most in a game for the program since OU's 4-2 win over Arizona on Sept. 11, 2011.

The Sooners will be back in action next weekend as they take on the Florida Gators in Gainesviile, Fla. on Friday September 6 at 6:00 p.m.. OU will finish up their weekend in Florida on Sunday, Sept. 8 against the Florida State Seminoles at noon.

Tulsa Men's Soccer Team Records 3-0 Win Over Drake

Des Moines, Iowa – Tony Rocha, Kyle Cumings and Bryce Follensbee all scored a goal for Tulsa in a 3-0 win over Drake on Sunday night at the Cownie Soccer Complex in Des Moines, Iowa.  TU moved to 1-1 on the season, while DU fell to 0-2 overall.

Rocha stuck first as he punched in a rebound off a shot attempt taken by Cristian Mata at the 16:29 mark.  Cumings made it 2-0 in the 35th minute as he scored from about nine yards out into the lower left corner.

Follensbee headed in goal off a corner kick that was taken by Ray Saari in the 73rd minute for the final score.

Cumings led the Hurricane attack with four shots, three of which were on goal, while Omar Mata added three attempts.  Cody Mumma logged all 90 minutes in goal and earned five saves for his first career shutout.

TU had a 19-12 lead in shots, including a 7-6 advantage in shots on goal, and had a 12-7 lead in corner kicks.

The Bulldogs' Addison Eck and Garrett Crall each had three shots, while a trio of players had two attempts.  Rich Gallagher logged 77:51 in the goal and picked up four saves, while Darrin MacLeod finished the game and had no saves.

Tulsa will return to action on Friday, Sept. 6th against Ohio State.  Game time is set for 7:30 pm at the Hurricane Soccer and Track Stadium.

Cowgirls Top Gonzaga, 2-1

STILLWATER, Okla. – Oklahoma State remained undefeated with a 2-1 win over Gonzaga Sunday night at the Cowgirl Soccer Complex.

Courtney Dike and Madison Mercado netted goals, and Rosa Medina recorded five saves as the Cowgirls improved to 3-0-1 on the young season.

OSU struck first, taking a 1-0 lead on Courtney Dike's fifth goal of the season. In the 35th minute, the freshman won the ball from a GU defender and goalie Christie Tombari, then converted the open-net opportunity.

The Cowgirls dominated the first-half stats, outshooting the Bulldogs 11-5 and collecting 10 corner kicks, and took the one-goal lead into intermission.

GU (1-2-0) began creating more chances in the second half and finally recorded the equalizer in the 69th minute. Tori Lee sent a free kick into the box where Emily Eckmann was able to get a foot on it and flick it past Medina to knot the score at 1-1.

That score was short lived, however, as less than two minutes later, Mercado put the Cowgirls back on top with a 25-yard blast to the far post. The goal was Mercado's third of the season, with two of those being game winners.

The Cowgirls would have to withstand a furious late rally from GU to hang on for the win, and it was Medina stepping up in the box that played a big role in sealing the win.

With just over six minutes remaining, OSU's junior keeper dove to her left to save a long shot by Heather Johnson. And at the 4:16 mark, she turned in her most impressive save of the night, diving and saving a Kasey Rubosky blast off the far post and then corralling the ball before it could carry over the line.

The final stats showed both teams taking 13 shots, with each goalkeeper recording five saves. OSU finished with 14 corner kicks, tying for the sixth-most in a single game in school history.

OSU returns to action next weekend with a pair of road matches against top 10 opponents as the Cowgirls face Florida State Friday before a Sunday contest against Florida.