Stillwater, Okla. - Senior Sarah Kendall put the Creighton women's soccer team in front with a goal in the opening minutes, but No. 4 Oklahoma State responded with four goals to down the Jays, 4-1.
The loss dropped Creighton to 0-2-1 on the season, while the Cowgirls moved to 3-0-0 overall.
Kendall got the Jays off to fast start, claiming her first goal of the season on the opening shot of the game at the 1:59 mark. The unassisted goal came on a shot from the right side of net past Oklahoma State's keeper, Adrianna Franch, just inside the far post.
Creighton was able to hold off a fierce Cowgirl charge for over ten minutes, but the fourth-ranked squad pulled even in the 17th minute as Madison Mercado headed in a goal from four feet out to tie it at 1-1. Mercado's goal came on a corner play that was entered by Makenzie Kahan.
Oklahoma State added two more goals in the first period as the Cowgirls outshot Creighton 14-2 in the period to take a 3-1 edge into half.
The Jays responded with a spirited effort in the second half, collecting nine shots and five corners in the final period. Unfortunately Franch and the Cowgirl defense were up for the challenge, holding Creighton at bay during the period.
Oklahoma State added a late goal in the 87th minute as Mercado tallied her second of the day at 86:41 to put the match away.
The Jays were outshot, 24-11, in the match and fell short 11-5 in corners.
Senior goalkeeper Katie Jo Swanson made six saves on the day, while Franch finished with five saves.
"We had a great start, but wilted in the heat with a few defensive breakdowns," said Creighton head coach Bruce Erickson. "We made some adjustments in the second half and played very well down the stretch."Creighton returns to the pitch on Tuesday, Aug. 28 as the Jays travel to Vermillion, S.D to face the South Dakota Coyotes at 4 p.m.
