When it Comes to Bedlam Soccer for the Cowgirls "It Just Means More"

STILLWATER – On a beautiful but warm Stillwater night Bedlam returned in a different form. Oklahoma is now a member of the Southeastern Conference and Oklahoma State remains in the Big 12 Conference. This was the first Bedlam contest with the two schools in different conferences in 64-years. The fans showed they still love it as the fourth largest crowd in Neal Patterson Stadium history, 2,604, enjoyed the rivelry. Oklahoma State won the tightly contested match 1-0 and ran their record to 32-10-5 against Oklahoma. The newly No. 17-ranked Cowgirls in both national polls are now 3-0 on the season and  have yet to allow an opponent to score. 

Oklahoma State Athletics

Great crowd for Bedlam soccer. 

The north end zone and the home of the Oklahoma State students complete with a pep band and more really made like the twelth Cowgirl all night long. 

The first and only goal in the match was scored by a Cowgirl freshman that had substituted in for an injured teammate. Cowgirls defender Chloe Joseph came off the field with 11:05 left in the first half and Alamo, Calf. freshman midfielder/forward Bella Pierotti came in. Shortly after that sub Taryn Thibeau subbed in for the Cowgirls and they would factor big. 

Junior midfielder Nicole Ray passed the ball outside to Thibeau and from the far left of the Oklahoma goal she got deep to the endline and passed it into the box. Pierotti got the pass and made a quick dribble past Oklahoma defender Cassie Clifton and punched the ball to the far post and past OU goalkeeper Caroline Duffy. It was the first collegiate goal for Pierotti and it was one she will always remember. First goals that are game winners in Bedlam are as good as it gets.  

Oklahoma kept the pressure on but the final nine minutes of the half were scoreless, so the teams went to the break with OSU up 1-0. 

The second half was pressure-packed as the further into the match Oklahoma State head coach Colin Carmichael went from the attacking shape his team has used to a more defensive posture. The second half was played more in the Oklahoma State end. In the end Oklahoma outshot the Cowgirls 17-to-4, but the shots on goal were three each. Oklahoma had more corners 9-to-4. Oklahoma State had more fouls in the physical match 15-to-11. 

The Cowgirls best scoring opportunity in the second half was a Mollie Breiner possession that she dribbled deep to the goal but give credit to OU defender Andie Wolfe, who made a desparate tackle to stop Breiner. 

Adelhia Ghonda dribbled in from the right side of the OU goal and had a strong shot but that was one of the two saves in the match by Oklahoma keeper Caroline Duffy.

Oklahoma State Athletics

Bedlam goals, wins, and celebrations are the best.

Oklahoma had several prime opportunities but the best in our eyes came with about five minutes left on one of those nine corners as the ball was launched into Juliette Rayo and she had a point blank shot that went over the top of the goal. 

The Cowgirls continued to survive until the match ended and they were able to celebrate yet another Bedlam win. The Cowgirls terriffic start continues this coming Sunday on the road at Central Arkansas.

Afterwards a celebratory Carmichael told his team the facts.

“You could have played better, but you found a way to win,” Carmichael said to his players. “You are still undefeated and that Bedlam trophy isn’t going anywhere.”