The Texas Longhorns (6-6-1, 3-0) came off their bye week and stole a win over favored Oklahoma State (10-4-1, 1-3-1) at Mike A. Meyers stadium in front of Head Coach Angela Kelly’s college roommate, Mia Hamm, and women’s sports icon Pat Summit.

Both teams struggled to find a rhythm and possession in the first 20 minutes, but the Cowgirls earned a clear chance when freshman Madison Mercado was fouled in the box after a dangerous cross from senior forward Megan Marchesano found her feet just a few yards from goal. However, senior center back Carson Michalowski sent the ensuing penalty kick high and hit the crossbar, keeping the game at 0-0.

While both teams played somewhat direct early on, Texas found its chemistry up top. When the senior forwards Kristin Cummins and Hannah Higgins received the ball at their feet, they combined with each other and consistently looked dangerous. Ultimately, they needed some help and found it in fellow forward Allison Smith who combined with Cummins to get Higgins in behind the Oklahoma State defense. Higgins sent the ball past a diving Adriana Franch in the 22^nd minute, scoring the game winner.

“The goal, honestly, I haven’t seen a prettier build-up,” senior forward Hannah Higgins said. “That’s what we work on in practice – pattern play. I’ve always been told that once I play you gotta play and move.”

Texas played with increased confidence after the goal and started going at players on the dribble and combining more cleanly in the offensive third. Support from the midfield and outside backs helped the Texas forwards keep the ball around Oklahoma State’s box, but the Longhorns could not get another quality chance on frame until the second half when freshman holding midfielder Lindsey Meyer headed two set pieces toward Franch.

“I thought our girls responded very well for as young as we are and for the amount that we’re throwing at them,” Texas first-year head coach Angela Kelly said.

The Cowgirls had similar issues with their offensive chances - few and from distance. The UT backline successfully won any ball sent in deep or attempting to find the Oklahoma State forwards’ feet. While both young squads had a tendency to force balls forward, Oklahoma State looked most dangerous when Marchesano could locate it from her midfield. The Longhorns limited these touches with tight defending and double teams when possible.

“I’m very proud of the team,” Kelly said. “Oklahoma State is a fantastic team – very well coached. It was kind of a tactical chess match.”

A significant part of the defensive presence included freshman goalkeeper Abby Smith who joined the Texas team from her role with the U-20 Women’s National Team. Since returning to Austin, the Longhorns have remained unbeaten in the five games she has now played on the 40 acres.  Smith had a scare, however, in the 61st minute when a long ball bounced over her and into the path of a pressing Marchesano. Marchesano pushed it across the open goal line only to see the official’s flag on the right sideline claim she started in an offside position.

Four-time Big-12 Coach of the Year Colin Carmichael walked the sidelines flabbergasted and frustrated. While the defending Big-12 regular season champs have looked strong in the 2012 season, issues of consistency continues to affect the young team.  In addition to the penalty kick and controversial offside call, the Cowgirls earned a threatening chance off a set piece when Taylor Matthews blasted a shot just outside the goal post midway through the second half. The Cowgirls couldn’t find an answer and would leave Austin with their third conference loss.

“I’m really pleased with how effective our off-week was and just the energy,” Kelly said. “It was a special day for this group, and I’m just really happy they got to experience this.”

With six games remaining in the regular season, both Texas and Oklahoma State will need to win as many games as possible to push themselves high into the Big-12 standings. Even winning the regular season does not guarantee an at-large berth into the NCAA tournament. Improving RPI and earning a high seed in the Big-12 tournament remains key for these programs as the conference continues to prove competitive with most of the teams comparable in strength.

“We’re definitely systematic,” Kelly said. “There’s a master plan here. We have been implementing little tiny bits of it at the time. It just really makes me proud of them.”

The Longhorns will next face Texas Tech at home Friday at 5:30 p.m. before facing Kansas Sunday at 1:00 p.m. Oklahoma State looks to turn their conference season around against TCU on Friday at 7:00 p.m. and Baylor on Sunday at 4:00 p.m., both in Stillwater.

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