STILLWATER – Oklahoma State returned to its winning ways Sunday at Neal Patterson Stadium with a 1-0 victory over Iowa State.
The Cowgirls dominated the run of play, outshooting ISU by a 29-7 margin and owning an 11-0 advantage in corner kicks. Grace Yochum’s penalty kick goal in the 83rd minute was the difference, and Ary Purifoy posted the first shutout of her career in just her second start.
With the win, OSU improved to 10-2-3 overall and 3-12 in Big 12 play, while the Cyclones fell to 3-9-3 and 0-6-1 in the league.
Yochum became OSU’s all-time leader in points with her eighth goal of the season, as she moved past Yolanda Odenyo into the top spot with 91. The goal also marked the 41st of her career, adding to her program-record total.
Olyvia Dowell tied a school record with 12 shots on the day, equaling the mark set by Annika Niemeier in a game against Arkansas-Pine Bluff in 2011. Six of Dowell’s shots against the Cyclones were on frame.
Dowell also moved into second place on the career shots list as she now has 245 in her four seasons, tying her with Odenyo. Siera Strawser holds the mark with 283.
The Cowgirls struggled to find the net with their shots against ISU, in part due to the play of goalie Jordan Silkowitz, who racked up 12 saves in the contest.
In the opening half, Silkowitz tallied eight saves on 12 shots to send the game to intermission scoreless.
The second half saw OSU continue to pepper the Cyclones with shots. At the 82:38 mark, an attempt by Dowell hit the crossbar, and on the ensuing scramble for the rebound, Gracie Bindbeutel was taken down in the box by an ISU defender.
That foul set the stage for Yochum, who blasted a shot that deflected off the bottom of the woodwork and in for the game winner. The fifth-year senior is now 7-for-7 on penalty kick attempts in her career.
Purifoy finished with four saves for the second consecutive game as OSU posted its Big 12-leading ninth shutout of the season.
Up next, OSU closes out the home portion of its schedule with a Thursday night game against West Virginia before a Sunday showdown against nationally ranked Texas.
