Cowgirls Draw with Oklahoma in First Bedlam Matchup of the Season

Ninety minutes and two overtime periods couldn’t separate Bedlam foes.

The Oklahoma State soccer team tied with Oklahoma 2-2 on Thursday night in Norman. The game was the teams’ nonconference meeting. They’ll meet again Oct. 25 in Stillwater in a Big 12 match.

The Cowgirls lost leading goal scorers Marlo Zoller and Haley Woodard to graduation after last season, but senior Jaci Jones is stepping into the scoring role nicely.

Jones scored both of the Cowgirls’ goals against the Sooners, giving her three goals and an assist through OSU’s first two games.

Jones’ started the scoring in the 26th minute when she won an one-on-one matchup with an OU defender and slotted home a left-footed finish into the bottom corner of the goal.

? Check out the moves and the finish from @jacirjones to give #okstate the lead in Bedlam! #GoPokes ? pic.twitter.com/jqZiYcdSsr

— Cowgirl Soccer (@CowgirlFC) August 30, 2019

Jones doubled the Cowgirls’ lead in the 65th. Kim Rodriguez lobbed a ball over the OU back line, and Jones tapped the ball up and over OU’s goalkeeper to make it 2-0.

Twice is nice! ✌️ @jacirjones picks up the brace after a great assist from @kimberlyrod23, and #okstate leads 2-0 in the 65th minute! #GoPokes ? pic.twitter.com/oSb8NFYB1B

— Cowgirl Soccer (@CowgirlFC) August 30, 2019

“We challenged Jaci,” OSU coach Colin Carmichael said. “She’s playing high up the field, you gotta deliver some goal, and boy did she. First goal was beautiful technique, and the second goal was all effort.”

OU scored its first goal of the game in the 76th minute. Kaylee Dao scored a penalty kick that was awarded after what OSU coach Colin Carmichael called a “harsh” handball call in the box.

Dao scored again with fewer than four minutes to go to tie the game. The teams went to two overtime periods where OU outshot the Cowgirls 7-2, but no one scored, ending the game in a draw.

“What I’m proud about is, giving up those two late goals is not good, but our kids didn’t crumble,” Carmichael said. “They’re in a hostile environment, competing against a good team, and to have the mental fortitude and the physical toughness made me really proud of them tonight.”

The Cowgirls host Oral Roberts on Sunday night in what will be OSU’s first official home match of the year.

Recap, photos, stats & reaction following tonight's #Bedlam tie in Norman: https://t.co/TjpETVO5Kg #GoPokes #okstate pic.twitter.com/fJcLZKURZV

— Cowgirl Soccer (@CowgirlFC) August 30, 2019