Women's Soccer finishes Spring with 2-1 win over Oklahoma

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

The SMU women's soccer team finished their Spring season with a nice win over Oklahoma tonight at Wescott Field.

Oklahoma took a 1-0 lead into the break, but SMU came back with two strong second half goals.

The first goal was set up by a great speedy run down the right side by Amanda Burgardt, who sent a nice cross into the six that was buried by a sliding Kenzie Scovill.

And, as if it was scripted, the second goal was scored with around three and a half minutes left by Shelby Redman in her first game action after returning from knee surgery last fall.

Redman started the play by showing some nice patience down the left side. She found a streaking Burgardt, and the two completed a nice criss-cross give-and-go leaving Redman alone seven yards out - where she drilled a nice hard low shot under the diving keeper.

All in all, a nice Spring for the team. It certainly was a challenge being shorthanded for most of the games, but to have a win and two draws at home against strong LSU, Texas, and Oklahoma teams certainly shows some promise for the coming season.

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

Other notes of interest:

SMU used 13 outfield players.

Courtney Webb played the full 90 minutes in goal.

The back four was the same as the Texas game (Smith, Eidson, Cox, Hartweck) and played the full 90 minutes together.

Katie Cox had a huge save keeping a ball out of the net after Webb came out of the net to attempt to stop an Oklahoma run.

Burgardt and Ryanne Lewis both showed a lot of speed up the wings.

Redman looked really good. Definitely a bit tentative (but who can blame her) but she created three or four great scoring opportunities tonight.

Overall, a great performance for the Mustangs.

[PonyPride]

Redman's goal was terrific, considering she and Burgardt teamed up to score when they were facing about six OU defenders and patiently worked their way through. Redman did a nice job keeping her composure as she took Redman's pass and tucked the ball underneath the OU keeper when it would have been easy to get too excited and airmail a fastball into the parking garage at the north end of the field.

Cox's back save was outstanding. Again, that was a play where it would be easy to panic, but she didn't, calmly standing her ground and heading the ball clear.

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

Redman's goal was terrific, considering she and Burgardt teamed up to score when they were facing about six OU defenders and patiently worked their way through. Redman did a nice job keeping her composure as she took Redman's pass and tucked the ball underneath the OU keeper when it would have been easy to get too excited and airmail a fastball into the parking garage at the north end of the field.

Excellent point. Redman took the outlet pass about 40 yards out (sorry - I don't remember who fed the ball out of our end) - and had no help whatsoever. There were about six OU defenders back.

Most of the time, you just see the player turn and try to take on the six defenders and lose the ball about 20 yards out.

It was very impressive to see Redman - in her first game action since last fall - have the intelligence to hold up and wait for somebody.

The other point that has to be mentioned about last night was the horrible officiating. Not from the referree, but from the linesmen. They called offside at least six times that weren't even close. It was almost like they didn't know the rule. It was both of the linesmen and it went against both teams. I know it's Spring for them too but it was ridiculous.

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

Nice crowd too - maybe 750?

Obviously there were quite a few girls teams in attendance from the Dallas International Girls Cup, but it was still a nice turnout for a mid-week Spring game.

The crowd was pretty enthusiastic too.

It was nice to see SMU put some effort into the game experience. Programs (at least a roster) probably would have been a nice touch, but adding the pregame introductions and PA was a great move with all of the young players in attendance.

[Vitale]

Courtney Smith was terrific last night.

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

Courtney Smith was terrific last night.

The thing with Courtney Smith is it's hard to single her out because she is so amazingly dependable game in and game out.

Obviously, her free kicks, throw-ins, and corners are by far the best on the team.

Plus, she is so solid on defense it's incredible.

I'm very interested to watch her this season, because she was so good as a freshman last season, it will be interesting to see her development. If she continues to grow as a player and hasn't reached a plateau, she could be fantastic and one of the all-time greats in the next few years...

I can't wait to see this team this season.