Cowgirls Lose to Pitt in Overtime
STILLWATER – An early Pittsburgh goal in the first overtime period handed Oklahoma State its first loss of the season as the Panthers claimed the BancFirst Cowgirl Soccer Invitational title with a 3-2 win at Neal Patterson Stadium. The loss snapped a four-game unbeaten streak for the Cowgirls dating back to last season as they fell to 1-1-0.
Grace Yochum netted both OSU goals against the Panthers, bringing her career total to 29 to rank sixth on OSU’s all-time list; she is just one shy of moving into the top five. Despite outshooting Pitt by a 7-3 margin in the opening half, the Cowgirls trailed 1-0 at the break on a goal in the 37th minute by Emily Yaple. But OSU erased its deficit in the first five minutes of the second half as Yochum tallied her first two goals of the season just 2 ½ minutes apart.
Yochum’s first score came in the 48th minute as she delivered a header from the top of the goal area off a cross from Charmé Morgan knot the score at 1-1. The scoreboard swung to OSU’s advantage just 2:28 later as Yochum took a pass from Kionna Simon and blasted a 25-yard shot near post to give the Cowgirls a 2-1 advantage.
OSU’s lead lasted just 25 seconds, however, as Pitt’s Amanda West netted the equalizer in the 51st minute.
The Cowgirls had opportunities to go back on top in regulation, including a trio of headers by Gabriella Coleman, two of which were saved.
Pitt (2-0-0) ended the extra time early as Athalie Palomo sent a ball through the box that OSU failed to clear, and Sarah Schupansky converted to the far post for the golden goal.
Yochum, Coleman and Ally Jackson were OSU players named to the BancFirst Cowgirl Soccer Invitational All-Tournament Team.
The Cowgirls return to action Thursday when they take on Bedlam-rival Oklahoma in a non-conference showdown in Norman. OSU then returns home for a Sunday contest against Wright State.