With minutes to go, it felt like FIU Women’s Soccer would pull off a surprise in Norman, tied 1-1 with the Oklahoma Sooners of the SEC.
Up to this point, the first half of soccer was dead even, but a turning point happened with five minutes to go, as Delinda Sehlin was issued a red card, leaving FIU without a player on the pitch for the rest of the match.
This meant the second half for the Panthers was primarily centered on blocking shots and stopping plays from the Sooners, which they did exponentially better thanks to the efforts of goaltender Valery Restrepo.
However, a late rush by the Sooners left Restrepo in a bad spot with the net wide open on the left side, which Oklahoma cashed in on for the first goal of the game with 12 minutes remaining.
FIU shifted their game plan into attack mode and put pressure on Oklahoma for the equalizer. They got their chance when, after a lengthy review, a handball was issued on the Sooners in front of the net.
This set up Nikole Solis for a penalty kick which she cashed in on with less than 10 minutes remaining.
However, FIU’s biggest mistake was getting into foul trouble, and it would rear its ugly head with just over three minutes to go, as a free-kick opportunity for the Sooners was successful, giving them a 2-1 lead that they would hold on to.
Both teams recorded eight fouls in a sloppy contest in that regard. As far as shots, saves, and corner kicks, the Sooners put up better numbers than the Panthers.
FIU now has a 1-1 record and is heading back to Florida, but not for a home game anytime soon. Their next four matches are in different parts of the Sunshine State, starting with a trip to Boca Raton to take on FAU on Thursday.
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