Travis Taylor | Lariat Photo Editor
Reporter
Junior goalie Michelle Kloss earned her ninth shutout of the season as the Baylor Bears defeated the Oklahoma State Cowgirls 1-0 in the final home game of the Bears’ regular season.
“It feels great to get a another shootout another win,” Kloss said. “I think the defense was absolutely amazing. They’re the ones who help with the shutout.”
This was Baylor’s first win since Sept. 27 when the squad beat Oklahoma at home 1-0.
“We’ve had some unlucky stuff going on for us the past couple games between hitting post, calls called back and last minute goals in overtime,” Baylor co-head coach Marci Jobson said. “This is great to come out and play a very good team, and to play like that with a lot of energy and a lot of excitement. I think we played really well from minute one to 90, and when we do that we can play with any team in the country.”
Baylor’s offense outplayed the squad from Oklahoma recording a total of 10 shot attempts and four shots on net. The Cowgirls were able to match Baylor’s shot on goal total, but recorded two less shots attempted. OSU was awarded five corner kicks compared to Baylor’s zero.
The Bears jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the third minute of the game thanks to the leg of freshman midfielder Ashley York.
The goal was setup after senior midfielder Larissa Campos was the victim of a strong tackle. Campos got up, walked off the injury and took the free kick that was awarded to her. The free kick bounced to York who was able to put the ball in the back of the net after attempting a shot from the right side box.
“It was delivered well,” York said. “I was just in the right place, right in front of the goal.”
York’s fifth goal ended a personal dry spell and tied her with sophomore fielder Bri Campos for most scored this season by a Baylor player.
York was frustrated with her lack of scoring and sought advice from Bri Campos the night before the match. Bri Campos told her to enjoy playing the game and good things will happen. When the goal came in she was happy, but knew Baylor had to protect its lead for the rest of the game.
In the 15th minute of the first period, OSU was able to mount a sustained offensive attack. During the period, the Cowgirls were awarded two free kicks. Baylor was able to successfully defend its goal that included a save by junior goalie Michelle Kloss after OSU attempted its second corner kick.
During the 25th minute, OSU senior midfielder Kristen Kelley had a break away shot, but Kloss was able to make the save with ease.
At the 30-minute mark, OSU freshman midfielder Krissi Killon received a yellow card that set up set up a free kick for Bri Campos, but her shot went wide left.
With 7:26 left in the first half, Baylor senior midfielder Karlee Summey had a break-away chance at the net, but was unable to put the shot on net.
In the second half, Baylor kept the pedal to the metal and kept pressuring Oklahoma State both on offense and on defense.
“We kept our foot on the gas the whole time,” York said.
The Cowgirls had a flurry of offense in the 83rd minute, where OSU received two more corner kicks, but were unable to convert the opportunity. A shot that flew over the net ended OSU’s rally.
During the last five minutes of the match, Oklahoma State stepped up its offense in hopes of scoring the equalizer, but Baylor’s defense stood firm, and cleared the ball out of its defensive area and managed to hold possession to keep OSU away from the ball.
Baylor will finish its regular season with a match against Texas Christian University at 7 p.m., Nov. 1 in Fort Worth.
