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The Cowgirl Soccer Complex, also known as the Cowgirl Corral,
was brought about through a series of stages along with the
conception of the women's soccer program in 1996.
The Corral came into existence in 1996-97 when a sand-based
playing field was created. The Cowgirls play on one of the best
playing surfaces in the country. The pitch is a Bermuda Hybrid
Tifway 419 grass that is often used on the premiere golf courses
throughout the nation. The field is also designed to have an
outstanding drainage system, ensuring that the Cowgirls can play
shortly after even torrential downpours.
The field measures 115 X 75 yards and is well lit to
accommodate night games throughout the season. In 2001, the
addition of 1,000-seat bleachers to the east side of the field
were put in place to accommodate the growing crowds at the
Corral. The addition of these bleachers and the growing tradition
of Cowgirl Soccer have helped OSU obtain a number four ranking in
the Big 12 in average season attendance.
The capacity was again increased in recent years to make room for the
ever-growing number of Cowgirl Soccer supporters. The addition of bleacher
seating on the field level on the north and south ends of the playing field has
led to capacity has swelling to 1,450, with room to accommodate even larger
crowds.
Beginning with the 2010 Bedlam game, a mobile video board was placed in the
southeast corner of the Cowgirl Soccer Complex to provide fans with scores,
stats, and other information during the course of matches.
Oklahoma State's soccer program has been giving
fans reason to be excited since its inception in 1996 but now the
program is giving current and prospective student-athletes a new
reason to be enthusiastic about the future.
The Cowgirl Soccer Complex was selected as a regional host site
during the 2010 NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Championship. Oklahoma State was
joined in Stillwater by Memphis, Michigan and Oregon State during the opening
rounds.
Oklahoma State won in come-from-behind fashion as the No. 6
Cowgirls earned their first-ever berth in the NCAA Women's Soccer Championship
Sweet 16 with a 2-1 win over Oregon State in front of over 1,400 fans at the
Cowgirl Soccer Complex.
"It means so much for this program," OSU head coach Colin
Carmichael said of advancing to the Sweet 16. "We've been so close in the past.
We've kind of complained about not being at home and losing so many close games
on the road. You can see how hard it was for (Oregon State) to hold the lead. We
were just so thankful we got to play in front of our fans. I truly believe that
did make a little bit of difference. It maybe gives you that little 10 percent
extra that you need."
With the win over Oregon State, the Cowgirls advanced and played
host again. Duke visited Orange Country for the Sweet 16, but Oklahoma State
prevailed once again, defeating the Blue Devils 2-0 in front of a crowd of
1,943.
A record crowd of 2,660 fans saw OSU take on national soccer
power Notre Dame in the Elite Eight round of the tournament. The Cowgirls were
knocked out of the tournament just one win away from the 2010 College Cup, but
the overflow crowd in Stillwater passed the 2003 Bedlam crowd of 2,307 as the
largest in program history.
"It's amazing the support we've gotten at these games," OSU junior defender
Melinda Mercado said. "Usually we get a pretty good fan base, but just the
support that Stillwater has given us these last few games has really made a
difference."
A new multi-million dollar complex is in the
works at Oklahoma State and it promises to improve the gameday
experience for Cowgirl Soccer players, fans, and coaches.
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