Oklahoma State Downs No. 8 Penn State 2-1 in Double Overtime
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Oklahoma State Cowgirls upset the No. 8 Penn State Nittany Lions with a 2-1 double overtime victory on Thursday at Jeffrey Field.
Oklahoma State improves to 5-0-1 as it hands Penn State its second loss of the 2019 season. Penn State was able to get on the board first with the help of Ally Schlegel, who had her fifth consecutive game with a goal.
Penn State used its possession advantage to control most of the first half. Throughout the first frame, the Nittany Lions were able to capitalize on Cowgirls turnovers and generate a plethora of opportunities.
Nittany Lions senior defender Ellie Jean acted as a catalyst for the Nittany Lions’ attacks. Jean was able to use time and space to create mismatches for the Cowgirl defense.
In the 18th minute, Oklahoma State freshman midfielder Olyvia Dowell was able to use incredible pace to break away from Nittany Lions defender Laura Suero and get off a great scoring chance. Dowell fired the ball from just inside the box, but it went wide.
Just five minutes later, redshirt freshman Schlegel scored to get the Nittany Lions the first goal of the game. Schlegel, who tore her ACL a year ago, has become the Nittany Lions most consistent threat. This time, Schlegel won her battle in the box and headed it in off the corner kick.
“Schlegel continues to be a huge bright spot in our attack,” Penn State head coach Erica Dambach said. “She can be counted on when the game is on the line. She is getting better and better.”
The Nittany Lions’ lead was short-lived, though. In the 34th minute, a misjudgement by Penn State keeper Katherine Asman led to an Oklahoma State equalizer. Asman misread a floater in the box sent in by junior Kim Rodriguez. Left in no man’s land, the ball, last touched by Cowgirls midfielder senior Jaci Jones, trickled into the net. The goal gave Jones her sixth of the season in just as many games.
In the second half, momentum began to shift. In the 49th minute, the Cowgirls found a dangerous scoring chance that nearly gave them the lead. Unfortunately for Jaci Jones, her final touch was just too much, as the ball rolled over the end line.
In general, Oklahoma State pushed the pace in the second half. After being outshot 12-1 in the first half, the Cowgirls tightened up defensively and started to create chances of their own.
As the game went on, both teams lacked discipline. The Cowgirls finished with 15 fouls, eight of which were in the second half.
In double overtime, a set piece made the difference again. The dynamic duo of Jones and Rodriguez were able to connect for the game-winner. Jones fed the corner kick beautifully onto the head of Rodriguez in the box, which found net for an Oklahoma State 2-1 victory.
“They were a little bit bigger and a little bit stronger,” Dambach said. “They overpowered us. We weren’t good enough.”
Up next, the Nittany Lions will continue their homestand as they take on the No. 5 Virginia Cavaliers on Sunday.
Kyle Cannillo is a sophomore majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email kmc6659@psu.edu.
