NORMAN, OK - After holding Oklahoma scoreless in the first half, Sam Houston State gave up three goals in the second period as the Sooners defeated the Bearkats 3-0 in the season opener for the Kat soccer team Saturday.
Highlight of the contest was an outstanding defensive performance by Bearkat goalkeeper Jenny Pence and the Sam Houston State back line.
The Sooners kept up tremendous offensive pressure, firing 32 shots at the Bearkat goal and forcing five cornerkicks. Pence was credited with 11 saves.
Kelsey Kraft scored the first Oklahoma goal just 13 seconds into the second half, tallying on a pass from Whitney Palmer.
Sam Houston kept the margin at 1-0 until the 77th minute when Michelle Alexander found the back of the net on a feed from Dria Hamption. Alexander scored a second goal in the 80th minute.
"We did a good job of staying organized on defense under Oklahoma's offensive pressure. Jenny Pence made some big time saves to keep it close," head coach Tom Brown said. "Offensively, we had problems with offsides calls, taking an extra pass or being late with a pass. All in all, with seven freshmen in the starting lineup, this was a good learning experience for our young team."
Forced into a defensive mode for most of the match, Sam Houston only attempted three shots. Alex Clifton's attempt was save in the 33rd minute and Jordan Cherry and Shelby Grissett each had scoring attempts blocked by Sooner defenders in the 39th and 87th minutes.
Several Bearkat offensive attacks were stopped short as Sam Houston was called for offsides six times.
Sam Houston State will continue its season-opening five-match road swing Friday with a trip to Denton to take on North Texas at 7 p.m.
Soccer Statistics:
Scoring:
45:13 - OU - Kelsey Kraft (assist Whitney Palmer)
77:40 - OU - Michelle Alexander (assist Dria Hampton)
80:07 - OU - Michelle Alexander (assist Whitney Palmer)
Statistics:
Shots - OU 32, SHSU 3
Saves - OU 1, SHSU 11
Cornerkicks - OU 5, SHSU 0
Fouls -- OU 8, SHSU 10
Offsides -- OU 1, SHSU 6
