Sept. 18, 2009

NORMAN, Okla. - Oklahoma scored an early first-half goal and made it stand up in a 2-0 win over Lamar at John Crain Field Friday night.

Lamar dropped to 1-6 on the season while OU improved to 5-2-1. The Sooners outshot the Lady Cardinals 24-6, with 16 of those coming in the second half, and forced sophomore goalkeeper Jennifer Gibbs to make a career-high 11 saves.

"It was a good team performance and we played a lot stronger defensively than in a few games recently," head coach Dewi Hardman said. "Beth Squires played in back and Grace Bowman played well so I am pleased with that."

Ashley Farrand gave OU a 1-0 lead in the 12th minute as she scored her first goal of the year.

Lamar had one of its best chances to get on the board near the end of the period when Lexi Genhardt took a free kick from Lorna Maudslay and headed it just over the goal in the 40th minute.

That was the way it stood through the half with OU holding a 8-5 edge in shots. The Lady Cards did manage to secure three of their game-high four corner kick opportunities in the first frame.

After intermission, Whitney Palmer netted her seventh goal of the season as she gathered the ball in the Lamar box and converted off Jordan White's shot that was saved originally by Gibbs. The score in the 55th minute gave OU a 2-0 cushion.

The Sooners continued to keep the pressure on with three attempts connecting off either the goalpost or crossbar.

Lamar will return to action next Friday when it unveils the state-of-the-art Lamar Soccer Complex with the inaugural Lamar Soccer Classic. LU welcomes Grambling State, New Mexico State and Northwestern State to town for doubleheaders on Friday and Sunday.