Weatherford, OK – The Cougars opened up the season in Oklahoma, taking on the SWOSU Bulldogs Thursday afternoon. An Alexis Byrd brace saw the Cougars walk away with one point and plenty of positive moments to build on.
A hot and humid afternoon kickoff saw no time wasted as the action got underway. Noelle Mingo would set the tone early, lacing a shot from outside the box just 20 seconds in, with the Cougars needing only 7 minutes for the first breakthrough. A tackle in the defensive third would see Mingo win possession and ping a long ball over the center backs. In a foot race, Byrd would streak in between both defenders, outpacing them both while managing to flick the ball over the keeper's head for the first goal of the year.
The celebrations were short-lived, as the Bulldogs struck just 30 seconds later, picking up a chipped ball at the top of the six after a hard collision for an easy finish past Kunitz. With the game level at 1-1, the Bulldogs continued to push for a lead, nearly finding the back of the net before the whistle. Kylah Bennett would somehow manage a diving goal-line clearance to keep the game level heading into the half.
It wouldn't take long after the whistle for Alexis Byrd to find the back of the net yet again. Winning the ball in the midfield, Byrd streaked down the left sideline, flying past defenders before ripping a shot across the keeper far post into the back of the net. The phenomenal effort would put the Cougars on top for the majority of the second half.
A second yellow resulting in a red card in the 65th minute for SWOSU handed the Cougars the upper hand for the remainder of the game. With under three minutes to spare, a hard foul from the Cougs would put the Bulldogs in prime position. The Cougars would manage to clear the first ball off the set piece, the second ball ultimately being played out wide, and a cutback finding the net in heartbreaking fashion, tying the game at 2-2.
The Bulldogs would outshoot the Cougars 16-9 on the day, Kunitz managing 7 saves. Byrd was extremely effecient, scoring 2 goals on just 3 shots, while Noelle Mingo picked up her first assist of the season.
Now 0-0-1, the Cougars will be back in action on Saturday, August 29, against Oklahoma Christian, with kickoff set for 11 a.m.
