OU Soccer Downs ORU

In a non-conference, midweek matchup, the Oklahoma soccer team downed in-state foe Oral Roberts by a score of 2-1 on Tuesday afternoon inside the Case Soccer Complex.

A late goal from freshman forward/midfielder Kaylee Dao propelled the Sooners to the victory. With the score knotted at 1-1, junior midfielder Jemma Cota found Dao for the game winner in the 87th minute. Dao, a native of Tulsa, has now notched three goals this season.

The Sooners (7-4-1 overall, 1-0-1 Big 12) pushed the pace offensively in the contest, outshooting the Golden Eagles (4-4-2 overall, 0-0-0 Summit League) by a mark of 19-6, including nine to four in shots on goal.

Junior forward Brittney Lawrence put the Golden Eagles on the board first with a goal in the 14th minute. Senior forward Kayla Keller assisted on the ORU score.

Just before the half, the Sooners found the equalizer in the 43rd minute when sophomore midfielder Lizzie Luallin controlled the rebound off a saved Chelsea Jackson shot and sent it into the open net. It was the second time Luallin has scored this season.

OU junior goalkeeper Kassidie Stade, who was named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week on Tuesday for her efforts in the first weekend of conference play, improved to 5-4-1 on the season with the win. In a full game of work on Tuesday, she had three saves.

A pair of Golden Eagles played a half in goal for ORU in senior Maddie Rhodes and freshman Ryliegh Bohnenstiehl. Each allowed a goal, while Rhodes had four saves and Bohnenstiehl recorded two.

The Sooners are riding a five-game unbeaten streak, going 4-0-1 in that stretch and outscoring opponents by a nine to two margin.

The match between OU and ORU was rescheduled after the original meeting, held on Sept. 4, was canceled following a power outage at John Crain Field in Norman.

"I am incredibly proud of the group's character, determination and willingness to take the game to our opponent," fourth-year OU head coach Matt Potter said. "Clearly going down a goal could have dampened our spirts, but we responded. The second half we played in a way that showed great ability to adapt and persevere against a dangerous Oral Roberts team. Finding a way to win is a moment that defines all good teams, and we found a way."

OU will close out non-conference play against Illinois State in Normal, Ill., this weekend.