Buckley's Blast Earns Utah 1-1 Draw with Oklahoma

Sunday, August 24

Norman, Okla.

12:00 PM

University of Utah

1-0-1

Oklahoma

1-0-1

OT 1

OT 2

Utah

Oklahoma

Buckley's Blast Earns Utah 1-1 Draw with Oklahoma

8/24/2014 12:00 AM | Soccer

Box Score

Aug. 24, 2014

Final Stats

NORMAN, Okla. - Utah soccer received an early goal from Kaycee Buckley that helped it to a 1-1 double-overtime draw at Oklahoma this afternoon.

"We showed a lot of heart and just starting off the season, there are a lot of positives to take away from this weekend," Buckley said. "Everyone kept working and the bench was into it for the whole game. We had the desire to win but just couldn't get it at the end. It's a nice start and a good practice for a what we anticipate to be a bunch of tight games coming up on our schedule."

"The bottom line is that we played well on the road and got two positive results," head coach Rich Manning said. "I was pleased with the new players and how they were able to deal with adversity in some pressure-packed minutes today. We had a solid first half and then as the game wore on it was a battle of wills."

Utah got on the score sheet in the ninth minute as Buckley netted her first goal of the season. The junior took a shot from 10 yards to the upper-right corner that glanced off the goalkeeper's hands and into the net.

It was the fourth goal of Buckley's career as Katie Taylor picked up her second assist of 2014. Taylor had kept the play alive when she collected a rebound off Ashton Hall's original free-kick try.

The Utes kept the pressure on with Natalie Vukic, Buckley and Taylor all having chances in the ensuing minutes. However, Oklahoma would find the equalizer in the 26th minute on a goal by Lizzie Luallin.

Utah had a great chance in the 33rd minute as Mariah Elmer pinged a shot off the crossbar. Taylor tried to convert the rebound but was saved by OU keeper Kaitlyn Fahrner.

In the second half, both teams continued to battle the 97-degree Oklahoma heat. Baylee Nielsen got on the end of a corner-kick attempt in the 57th minute but header over and Vukic probably had Utah's best chance saved in the 68th.

Goalkeeper Lindsey Luke was called into action when she made a solid save in the 75th minute to preserve the tie. The junior net-minder would finish with a pair of saves for the Utes.

In overtime, Taylor created a good chance in the 94th minute but was denied by Fahrner. In the second overtime period, Nielsen was stopped by the OU goalkeeper as well.

"It was very obvious that the humidity and weather wore on the teams as the game dragged on," Buckley added. "Both teams were going to try and get the win so we dealt with it."

For the game, the Utes out-shot the Sooners, 12-10. They also held a 6-3 edge in corner-kicks.

Utah and Oklahoma played to a 1-1 draw in Salt Lake City last season.

The Utes open play at home this Friday with a contest against Boise State. Kick-off is slated for 7:30 p.m. and is part of Utah's Week of Welcome