GAME 1: vs. Rose State College (02.26.05)

 

     The University of Oklahoma's men's club soccer team opened the Spring season of the OCCSL with a 6-0 victory over Rose State College. 

     Play in the opening minutes resembled the conditions...dreary! The Sooners struggled to connect passes the first 15 minutes of the game as Rose State continually intercepted passes and cleared them back to midfield. At times it appeared OU was frustrated from Rose State's unorthodox style of play early on. Left midfielder Ryan Caldwell was caught off guard by a two footed slide tackle from a 5-6, 190 lbs. female defender and Tim Garcia could fail to finish from 3 yards out on a goalie cemented to his goal line. 

     Finally 25 minutes in, OU was awarded a free kick 40 yards out on the right side of the field. The ball was played on the ground into the midfield where it was played forward over the top and Tim Garcia ran onto it and volleyed the ball over the onrushing keeper to put the Sooners up 1-nil. Finishing frustrations continued for OU the remainder of the half as every shot seemed to find its way into the goalkeeper's gut. Both teams went into the half with the scoreline 1-0 with Rose State obviously happy with their moral victory in the 1st half.

    The second half saw the Sooners play better soccer with more connected passes and fluidity in the attack.  However, once in the final third everything seemed to go to pieces with  numerous shots missing high over goal or directly toward Rose State's keeper. 5 minutes into the half midfielder Nic Wilson received a through ball on the left side of the field and cleverly one-touched a cross to Tim Garcia. Amazingly, the goalkeeper once again thwarted Garcia from two yards out.  About 10 minutes into the half OU had a strong shot toward the corner of the goal that Rose State's keeper bobbled and Wilson was there to pounce on the rebound.  However, the assistant referee waved it off for offside and the score remained 1-0. Much to the relief of the Sooners, they were awarded a corner kick moments later and scored to provide a 2-0 cushion. 

    Just two minutes later Wilson made a darting run into the box and was on the receiving end of a terrific cross from midfielder Steven Murray.  Wilson's well-placed header from 8 yards out found the lower right corner of the goal past the outstretched arms of the keeper.  25 minutes into the half, Garcia finally found his scoring touch again and slipped one under the keeper on a spinning shot from 6 yards out.

  Around the 30 minute mark of the half, OU was awarded another corner kick. The ball was played out short and Matt Price took the ball into the box and ripped a shot that Wilson glanced his head across and redirected into the upper left corner of the goal from 4 yards out for a 5-0 lead. The final goal of the game was spectacular as left defender, Bobby Jones carried the ball on a 40 yard run along the left side and cut into the middle. From 30 yards out he shot a bomb into the upper right 90 of the goal with ooo's and ahhh's from the small crowd.  Moments later the referee ended the game and OU was victorious.

 

Nic Wilson's Player(s) of the Game:

 

 

Goal of the Game:

 

 

Soccer Home