GAME 5: Semi-Final vs. UCO (04.23.05)
OU secured a hard fought 2-1 OCCSL semi-final victory over UCO with Jamile Green's goal in the 85th minute.
As the regular season first place seed, OU hosted the semi-finals this past Saturday morning at 11am in Norman at the women's practice field. The Sooners entered the match without three regular starters. Goalkeeper Mike Suflita had a field trip, Midfielder Tim Garcia was away for personal reasons and midfielder Sha Gilani is nursing an injured foot. Despite the makeshift line-up, the Sooners found a way to pull out the victory.
The first half began with each team feeling each other out, with few clear-cut scoring chances. OU forward John Lack had the best chance in the early going, missing wide left on a shot from the right corner of the box ten minutes in.
In the 30th minute, UCO's diminutive Asian midfielder snuck his way between three OU players before being fouled by Jared Russell just outside the box. The UCO free kick taker hit a beautiful shot over the wall, but Caldwell appeared out of nowhere to deflect it out for a corner. OU cleared the ensuing corner and maintained the shutout for the time being.
Ten minutes later, OU earned a corner kick. The UCO clearance was weak and Jesse Buccellini found the ball sitting perfectly for a right-footed shot from 12 yards out. Numerous defenders and midfielder, Nic Wilson, screened the goalkeeper. Wilson jumped out of the way and Buccellini's shot settled into the low-left corner of the goal to give the Sooners a 1-0 advantage going into the half.
The second half saw UCO begin to bring more numbers forward in an effort to tie the match. The referee was content to disrupt the flow of the match by calling fouls at every opportunity. The Sooners found it more difficult to maintain their possession oriented play and the game turned sloppy.
For every ten minutes of bad soccer, OU did manage to put together small pieces of brilliance. One such build-up in the 65th minute found midfielder Ricky Read streaking down the right side where he sent in a perfect serve to Lack at the near post. Lack flicked the ball into the upper-left corner of the goal, but the celebration was short-lived as the assistant referee's flag was up to call it back for offside. This play further frustrated the Sooners and set the stage for UCO to equalize.
In the 75th minute, the referee made another questionable foul call deep in UCO's attacking third. The ensuing free kick was well struck into the lower right hand corner of the goal and Caldwell could only watch as he appeared human for the first time in the match. At this point, OU was wishing for Lack's goal back, but instead was now tied despite holding a majority of the possession.
Tempers boiled over again in the 80th minute as Wilson was called for a questionable foul after a 50-50 head ball challenge 35 yards out from goal. He received a yellow card for his displeasure with the call, but luckily UCO did not capitalize on the free kick that followed.
In the 85th minute, the pattern continued as forwards Green and Lack were left alone to attack against three UCO defenders, but they managed to win a corner. OU brought numbers forward and prepared for the corner. A misplayed clearance from UCO, found the ball at midfielder, Stephen Parcell's feet where he took a shot directly at Hastings, the UCO keeper. Suprisingly, what appeared to be a routine save, slipped out of his hands and Green was there to poke the ball home with his toe from two yards out for his team leading 5th goal of the season.
UCO rarely threatened the final five minutes, and OU survived to win the match by the final score of 2-1. Next up is a championship match against Oklahoma State. The Bedlam battle will be hosted by OU on Saturday April 30th. Stay tuned for details!
Nic Wilson's Player(s) of the Game:
Ryan Caldwell - Mike Suflita's geology field trip made it necessary for this midfielder to don the goalie gloves and do his best impersonation of Brad Friedel. Caldwell was nothing short of spectacular making two tremendous diving saves on free kicks to allow OU to pull out the victory.
Goal of the Game:
Jesse Buccellini's well hit shot from near the penalty spot in the 40th minute snaked its way past several defenders and Nic Wilson, standing three yards out screening the keeper, jumped out of the way to watch it settle into the lower-left corner of the goal.