The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss
Oklahoma (Exh.)
Ole Miss, Oklahoma Tie In Soccer Exhibition
8/22/2004 | Soccer
Aug. 22, 2004
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - Ole Miss and Oklahoma played to a 2-2 tie Saturday in an exhibition soccer match at Little Rock's Burns Park Soccer Complex. In each team's first outside competition of the preseason, the Rebels and Sooners, both of whom earned NCAA Tournament bids a year ago, came out of the gates with anxious energy, and it was Ole Miss that struck first. All-SEC first teamers Kristal Menard and Kelly Renie teamed up at the 20-minute mark, as Renie headed in a Menard 50-yard service. Renie, the 2002 SEC Freshman of the Year, is returning from a torn ACL that cost her the 2003 campaign. Oklahoma connected off a corner kick 10 minutes later to knot the match at a goal apiece at the break. Menard produced for the Rebels again 20 minutes into the second half, as the senior midfielder from Crestwood, Ky., ripped in a 30-yard free kick. However, Ole Miss could not maintain the one-goal lead, as the Sooners answered with 10 minutes left in regulation, once again using a corner kick. Both teams agreed to conclude the match after the second 45-minute period. "We looked good although not as strong as we had anticipated," said Ole Miss head coach Steve Holeman. "Although the players didn't execute as we had hoped, we saw some positive things. Oklahoma did a good job of exposing some weaknesses, and we know what areas we need to improve on before Friday's season opener." The Rebels had a pair of opportunities slip away in the match, with two goals called back on questionable foul calls. Ole Miss had three freshmen in the starting lineup Saturday, as Cordova natives Cori Mehan and Chrissy Strini and redshirt freshman goalkeeper Ann Shelton all got the nod. Holeman was particularly impressed with Strini in the midfield. "Chrissy was our best player today. She was very composed for a freshman," he said. The Rebels officially begin their quest for third straight NCAA Tournament berth on Friday, as they host Northwestern State at 7 p.m. CT at Ole Miss Soccer Stadium. The first three matches of the new season are in Oxford with Middle Tennessee Sunday at 1 p.m. and Memphis Tuesday at 7.
