STILLWATER - Two goals in each half secured a 4-0 victory for Oklahoma State in its 2022 home opener against Missouri State Sunday at Neal Patterson Stadium.
Olyvia Dowell found the back of the net twice, while Gracie Bindbeutel and Peyton Vincze netted the first goals of their collegiate careers as the Cowgirls improved to 2-0-0 on the season.
OSU started the scoring early. Ally Jackson delivered a pass from midfield, and Bindbeutel outran a defender and delivered a shot from just inside the 18-yard box to the far post to put the Cowgirls up 1-0.
The home team had numerous scoring chances throughout the remainder of the half and was able to capitalize again in the 35th minute when Vincze also opened her scoring account for OSU. Off a free kick from Mollie Breiner into the box, Grace Yochum got a head on the ball and was able to flick it to Vincze, who chipped the keeper to the far post for a 2-0 lead for the Cowgirls.
Going into the break, OSU led the Bears 12-2 in shots as well as 3-1 in corner kicks.
The Cowgirls came out firing in the second half, scoring two goals early and never looking back. Dowell scored both goals, with her first coming off a fantastic assist from Alex Morris when OSU’s junior wingback raced down the sideline and delivered a pass into the box that a sliding Dowell slotted to the near post. Just over nine minutes later, Dowell capitalized on another long pass from Jackson and coolly slid the ball past the Missouri State keeper to put the game out of reach at 4-0.
Dowell now has three goals on the season and 26 in her career as she moved into ninth place on OSU’s all-time goals list.
OSU finished the match outshooting the visitors 25-6 and taking seven corner kicks to just one for the Bears. Jordan Nytes and Ary Purifoy combined for the shutout in goal, with Nytes making a pair of saves in 78 minutes of action.
OSU returns to the pitch Thursday at Tulsa with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m.