Cowgirls Open Season With 2-0 Win

Sunday, August 23

Stillwater, OK

12:00:00 PM

Oklahoma State University

1-0-0

Mercer

0-2-0

Mercer

Oklahoma State

August 23, 2015 | Cowgirl Soccer

Box Score

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STILLWATER, Okla. — Oklahoma State recorded goals in each half of its season opener Sunday en route to a 2-0 win over Mercer at the Cowgirl Soccer Complex.

Holly Brehmer got the scoring started in the 37^th minute with Haley Woodard's goal in the 54^th minute capping the win. The goals were the first in the careers of both players.

OSU dominated statistically, outshooting the Bears (0-2-0) by a 26-3 margin while recording a 10-0 advantage on corner kicks.

"We just wanted to have a good performance, get the win first and foremost," said OSU head coach Colin Carmichael. "It's the first real game we've played so you don't expect to be firing on all cylinders yet, but boy, we had a lot of positives to build on."

The Cowgirls controlled the attack from the outset, but Mercer goalie Maggie Cropp helped keep the Bears in it. Cropp finished with nine saves on the day, one of those coming on a blast by Marlo Zoller that she leapt and knocked over the crossbar to keep out of the net in the 27^th minute.

But OSU would break through soon enough.

Just three minutes after entering the game off the bench, Brehmer took a pass from Zoller and fired a close-range shot that Cropp saved but was unable to control. Brehmer, a sophomore, was there for the rebound and tap-in to give the Cowgirls a 1-0 lead.

Early in the second half, Woodard added to that advantage as the freshman took a cross into the box from Allie Stephenson and delivered the chance into the back of the net.

Mercer recorded all three of its shots in the match following intermission, but OSU sophomore Michela Ongaro recorded a pair of saves and notched her fifth career shutout.

OSU returns to action Friday when the Cowgirls host Bedlam-rival Oklahoma in a non-conference showdown at 7 p.m.