Cowgirls Pour In Second-Half Goals Against Rice

The Oklahoma State Cowgirls waited until after halftime to start scoring but when they started, they really got going as the No. 3 Cowgirls pounded Rice 4-0 at the Cowgirl Soccer Complex.

Kristen Kelley scored the Cowgirls' first two goals and OSU recorded its third shutout of the season, improving to 7-1-0 and a perfect 5-0 at home.

OSU was outshot 4-3 in the opening half but came back in dominating fashion to finish with a 17-4 shot advantage.

"The first half was a little bit flat, but then in the second half that's the best 45 minutes we've put together this year," coach Colin Carmichael said in a release.

Megan Marchesano drilled a shot in the 51st minute that was saved by Rice goalie Amy Czyz, but Kelley was there for the rebound and put back to give the Cowgirls a 1-0 lead.

Kelley found the back of the net again quickly, scoring her second goal of the game just six minutes later after heading in a corner kick. It was the first multi-goal game of her career.

"It was a group effort — a lot of buildup and good play from the back on up to work hard and get forward and score," Kelley said. "It was more of a team performing together, and I just happened to be in the right place at the right time."

In the 85th minute, Marchesano collected her team-best fifth goal of the season when she took a pass from Allie Stephenson and scored. And in the 89th minute Kendra Boydstun picked up her first goal of the season off another assist from Stephenson.

All-American goalie AD Franch recorded her third shutout of the year and 35th of her career.

The Cowgirls host North Texas on Friday night before a Sunday meeting with Fresno State.