Cressy's Goal Lifts Jayhawks Past Oklahoma, 2-1
NORMAN, Okla. – Sophomore Emily Cressy’s goal in the 73rd minute broke a one-all tie and powered Kansas to a 2-1 triumph over Oklahoma Friday night at John Crain Soccer Field.
The Jayhawks’ first conference win on the road improves the team to 10-5-1 overall and 2-4 in Big 12 play, while the Sooners fall to 7-8-1 overall and 2-5 in the conference.
KU dominated the pace of play for most of the evening, but it took a second half goal by Cressy to give them the win.
In the 73rd minute, freshman Shelby Williamson sent a through ball from the middle of the field to the top of the box, where Cressy gathered, took two steps and fired a shot into the near side of the net. It was Cressy’s seventh goal of the season, and fourth game-deciding tally this season. Williamson recorded two assists in Friday’s match.
The goal ended a night of frustration for Cressy, who had five shots before her goal, including three that were stopped by Oklahoma keeper Kelsey Devonshire.
Despite being outshot 8-4 in the first half, Oklahoma first as Whitney Palmer recorded her 15th goal of the season. The Sooner senior corralled a misplayed ball by the Kansas defense at the top of the box, and fired a shot into the back of the net from 17 yards away at 36:31 of the first half.
KU responded just over two minutes later, as Williamson and Whitney Berry took advantage of a misplayed ball. After collecting a cleared ball along the far sideline, Williamson sent a cross through the box that found Berry, who used her left foot to tie the match at one. It was Berry’s fourth goal over the last three weeks which nodded the match at 38:49.
The Jayhawks outshot the Sooners 21-11, and put 13 shots on goal compared to just five for Oklahoma. Cressy led the Jayhawks with six shots.
KU will travel to Baylor Sunday for its final road match of the regular season at 1 p.m. in Waco, Texas.
Postgame Quotes
Kansas 2, Oklahoma 1
Oct. 16, 2009
Kansas Head Coach Mark Francis
On Friday’s win:
“I thought we played well. In the first half, we connected really, really well in the first two-thirds of the field, but I didn’t think the attacking third was that great. In the second half, I thought we did a much better job of that. We had 13 shots on goal, which is a lot. Our finishing could have been better, but the fact that we’re creating chances is good.”
On the importance of the win in the Big 12 standings:
“(Tonight’s win) was huge. Of all the games we’ve played this year, this was probably our biggest of the year. A win today sets us up with a little bit of confidence heading into Sunday’s game. Our confidence is going to be much, much better. Now we’re looking to that and hopefully we can come out and play well on Sunday.”
