GAME 2: vs. Oklahoma State (03.05.05)
The University of Oklahoma's men's club soccer team defeated Oklahoma State 2-0 in Bedlam action this past Saturday in Stillwater.
OU came out with intensity scoring twice in the first half and holding on late to pull out the road victory. The Sooners welcomed three new players into the starting line-up as Derrick Batton stepped in at sweeper, Jared Russell started at left back and Mike Suflita started his second career game in goal. All three played a large part in shutting out Oklahoma State during the run of play, as their only game came on a penalty kick.
The opening minutes of the match saw both teams attempt to settle into the match with the Sooners holding a majority of the possession. OU created a couple of half chances thru nice build-ups in midfield created by the hard work of Sha Gilani and Murray Verbonitz. The speed of Jesse Buccellini along the right flank and the hard work of Alex Derderian and Jamile Green extended the Cowboy backline early. OSU had a couple dangerous forays toward the Sooner goal with Suflita pulling down a few dangerous high balls.
About 20 minutes into the match OU got the break it was looking for. A ball popped out into the central part of the field directly into the path of Verbonitz. From about 30 yards out he took aim at goal with a hard shot that got blocked down by the arm of an OSU defender two yards inside the penalty box. The referee pointed to the spot where Green confidently shot the ensuing penalty kick to the right side of the goal past the diving OSU keeper. The Sooners hard work paid off with an early lead.
The next fifteen minutes saw numerous half chances for both teams. Midfielder Nic Wilson saw a 50 yard chip go just over the bar and Derderian rifled a blast just high from 25 yards out. OSU also attempted numerous shots but all were directly towards Suflita or missed high and wide.
About 35 minutes into the game Green received a ball along the left flank and worked to the endline. He slotted a ball with his left foot across the ground toward a streaking midfielder Stephen Parcell. Parcell beat the OSU defenders and keeper to the near post to slot the ball home and give OU the 2-0 lead.
OSU created a couple more chances with deep balls behind the defense before the half. A miscommunication in the back led to an OSU forward rounding Suflita but his angle was too tight to shoot. The ensuing goalmouth scramble saw 6 players battling in front of the goal, but danger was averted as Wilson cleared the ball to the left touchline.
The second half saw a change of pace in the match. With a 2-0 lead, OU was content to sit in and defend while OSU brought numbers forward in waves with a 3-4-3 formation. OU did well with Batton, Eric Broberg, Russell and Bobby Jones holding the backline strong. Around the 65th minute a ball finally slipped thru to an OSU forward about 12 yards out, but Suflita made a brilliant diving save to his right to parry the ball over the endline.
OU earned some dangerous free kicks midway thru the half but Wilson and Derderian could not succssfully get the ball past the wall in successive attempts. Numerous questionable calls by the referee got the crowd into the match, as well as a late tackle which sent Batton tumbling into the assistant referee, stopping the match for a couple minutes.
Around the 75th minute, OSU was finally able to break onto the scoreboard as they switched the field nicely and laid a thru ball on the ground to their streaking left forward. Buccellini was beat on the wing and brought the OSU forward to the ground awarding them a penalty kick of their own. Suflita nearly got down on the shot, but it slipped just under his large frame into the right side of the goal.
OSU received a couple dangerous corner kicks in the waning minutes but OU defended well to kill off the game. The referees 10-second countdown ended the match and OU moved to 2-0 on the young season, exacting revenge in the Bedlam rivalry after OSU beat them in Norman 2-0 back in the fall season.
Nic Wilson's Player(s) of the Game:
Jamile Green (Sparked OU's offense in the 1st half with a well struck penalty and a great run and cross for Stephen Parcell to finish for the 2nd goal)
Derrick Batton (In his first appearance for the team, he anchored the team from sweeper and didn't give up any goals during the run the play)
Goal of the Game:
Stephen Parcell's terrific run onto Jamile Green's cross was pure class and ultimately was the game-winning goal