Soccer scores early to defeat rival Oklahoma, 1-0

Friday, October 24

Norman, Okla.

7 p.m.

University of Texas

9-6-2, 3-3-0

Oklahoma

8-6-3, 2-3-0

Texas

Oklahoma

Soccer scores early to defeat rival Oklahoma, 1-0

10.24.2014 | Soccer

Box Score

Freshman forward Morgan Murphy scores her first career goal just 45 seconds into the match

NORMAN, Okla. – The initial goal of freshman forward Morgan Murphy's career just 45 seconds into the match proved enough to guide Texas (9-6-2, 3-3-0 Big 12 Conference) to an important, 1-0 league victory over rival Oklahoma (8-6-3, 2-3-0 Big 12) on Friday night at the OU Soccer Complex.

With its win, Texas clinched a berth in the upcoming Big 12 Championship in Kansas City, Kan., over Nov. 5-9. Tickets can be purchased HERE.

The Longhorns out-shot the hosts by a 10-6 total and managed a 3-2 advantage on corner kicks. Senior defender Whitney Jaynes was credited with her second assist of the season on Murphy's score, while junior goalkeeper Abby Smith made two saves in earning her 22nd career shutout and Texas' eighth blanking of the season.

"Anytime you can get a 'W,' you'll take that opportunity," Texas head coach Angela Kelly said. "Credit to Oklahoma, this match was a back-and-forth battle. I'm just really pleased with the win. I think Morgan (Murphy) has been knocking at the door on scoring all season. She's had numerous good opportunities that to be honest, the goalies have made great saves against. I'm really happy for her. She attacks the ball and isn't afraid to take risks in the attacking third. Overall, I'm really happy with how we started against a really well organized Oklahoma team."

Texas stunned the Crimson-clad crowd by needing just 45 seconds to register the match's first goal. From out on the left wing, Jaynes delivered a perfect cross towards the top of the six-yard box. Marked closely in front of the left post, Murphy out-jumped the crowd to head home her first career goal from approximately seven yards out to grant the Longhorns a 1-0 lead.

"Being a freshman and coming in against a rival to score the eventual winning goal, it's honestly the greatest feeling in the world," Murphy said. "Whitney (Jaynes) sent in a really great ball to me on the play, allowing me a good chance to score. I'm just so happy and can't wait for Sunday's match at Baylor."

After the quick start by the Horns, Oklahoma finally began to settle into the contest. The Sooners managed their first shot via a blocked drive from deep out on the left side by midfielder Lizzie Luallin at 12:27.

Following an extended battle in the midfield, OU managed a shot from the top of the box off the foot of midfielder Rasha Roberts that traveled wide left at 24:57.

Texas raced right back down the pitch and posted a quality scoring chance of its own at 26:35. Senior midfielder Sharis Lachappelle made a great move to elude a pair of defenders on the left wing and crossed a perfect ball to the far post where a tightly-marked Chantale Campbell sent a header just high of frame.

Despite shots from UT freshman forward Olivia Brook (42:00) and junior midfielder Lindsey Meyer (42:09) that were blocked and wide left of frame, respectively, neither team registered a great scoring chance over the remainder of the opening half as the two squads ventured to the break with Texas up 1-0. The Horns out-shot the Sooners over the initial 45 minutes of action by a 6-3 total.

The Sooners came out of the locker room controlling the possession and creating a number of chances in the offensive third over the opening five minutes. The Texas defense refused to let OU get off any shots, however, clearing the ball out of danger in each instance.

Oklahoma forced the match's first save for either team at 52:38 as midfielder Shiloh Price found some space on the left side and unleashed a drive from 22 yards that traveled right into the waiting arms of Smith in goal.

A long pass up the middle by Murphy during the 58th-minute almost found on-rushing Texas junior forward Kelsey Shimmick in the clear. OU keeper Kassidie Stade managed to beat the junior forward to the ball, however, and corral it for a goal kick.

Texas nearly doubled its advantage at 68:32 as Shimmick made a quick move around a defender to locate some space and found herself in a desperate one-on-one race with OU's keeper for the ball nearing the top right corner of the box. The pair arrived at virtually the same time, with Shimmick trying to chip the ball over the sliding Stade. The Sooner net minder touched the ball well outside the 18-yard box, and after Shimmick's try at the open net traveled just inches wide right of frame, the head referee showed the keeper a red card forcing the Sooners to play the rest of the match down a player.

Despite playing at a disadvantage, Oklahoma had another solid scoring chance in the 79th-minute as midfielder Abby Hodgen broke into some space near the top of the box and unleashed a shot that traveled wide left.

After another Murphy headed try missed the net for Texas at 86:09, the Sooners had one last chance at an equalizer in the final minute. A ball found its way to Luallin in the middle of the 18 with under a minute left, but she couldn't get off a shot as a defensive clearance ricocheted back into the arms of Smith to seal the hard-fought triumph.