Texas soccer falls in double overtime, 2-1, to Oklahoma State

By Steve Lansdale

AUSTIN, Texas — Sophomore midfielder Kayra Dollas scored her first goal of the season in the 62^nd minute to give the Texas soccer team a 1-0 lead, but her team was unable to hang on to it, giving up the tying goal almost nine minutes later before falling, 2-1, at home to Oklahoma State in double overtime.

With the loss, which was UT’s second straight and extended its winless streak to three games, the Longhorns fall to 6-5-1 overall and 0-2-1 in Big 12 games. OSU improved to 6-5-2 overall and 1-2-0 in Big 12 games.

Head coach Angela Kelly said[s2If current_user_can(access_s2member_level1)] she saw reasons for optimism, but pointed out that the stats that matter the most are wins and losses. Going three games into the Big 12 part of the schedule, she said, is concerning, but she remains confident her team will turn the corner.

“It is, most importantly, the results,” Kelly said. “I think we did some great things last weekend and weren’t on the end of the positive results, obviously getting a tie and a point at Baylor. We’re putting in effort and we’re doing a lot of great things, and when you don’t then get the joy and the reward, that can wear on you. But that’s not even an option for us. The option is that we continue to grow, do the good things and have an increased hunger in the attacking third.”

After Dollas put the Longhorns ahead, Oklahoma State responded when Courtney Dike lifted a high free kick that floated into the top of the goal in the 71^st minute. OSU’s Haley Woodard eventually scored the game-winner in the 104^th minute — the fourth minute of the second overtime period.

UT outshot OSU, 18-12, and enjoyed a lopsided 16-2 edge on corner kicks.

“I think we continued to maintain possession and, overall, we did some really great things,” Kelly said. “Our spacing was great, we certainly had more of the ball over the course of the game, and we had opportunities to put more than one goal in the back of the net. We have to continue to create like we were but be a little bit more dangerous in the attacking box. It comes down to that.

The Longhorns will make their fourth attempt at beating a Big 12 opponent Sunday when they travel to Lawrence, Kan., to face the Jayhawks at 1 p.m. in a game that will be shown on the Longhorn Network.

Kelly said the key to a solid performance Sunday will be the ability to forget Friday’s loss.

“There is no other option other than to get yourself organized,” she said. “You need to have the best forgetful memory that’s ever occurred, and you have to organize yourself mentally, emotionally and physically. That’s going to be the message.”
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