Despite taking an early lead, Georgia soccer still remains winless in SEC play after losing 3-1 to No. 24 Oklahoma Friday at home.
Graduate forward Emma Pettersen put the Bulldogs up 1-0 in the 10th minute with a fast, low shot into the bottom right corner, assisted by junior midfielder Kieryn Jeter. It was Pettersen’s first SEC goal and third career goal as a Bulldog.
Although Georgia had an early goal against a ranked SEC opponent, it failed to slow Oklahoma’s momentum. Sooner midfielders Kate McCallister, Elle Canty and Sophie Morrin capitalized on the Bulldogs’ errors, each scoring goals in the second half as Oklahoma stayed unbeaten.
As Oklahoma rallied, pressure mounted on Georgia, leading to scrappy play and several fouls. There were a total of 10 fouls in the second half alone, five each for both teams.
Reeling from the loss, Georgia head coach Keidane McAlpine emphasized the competitiveness of the conference.
“This was a frustrating one,” McAlpine said. “This was a disappointing one. I thought we started the game really well. We had a nice control of the game, a nice rhythm. Along the way, we lost some of our nerve. They grew into the game and got better, and we couldn’t grab the momentum back and we paid for it.”
“This is another night in the SEC, and we’ve got to be better,” he added.
The Bulldogs had slightly more of the ball than the Sooners with 53% possession, which the chances in the game did not reflect. Instead, Oklahoma outshot Georgia 11 to eight, with all three of their shots on goal finding the back of the net.
The Bulldogs, still searching for their first conference win, will now travel to Fayetteville to play Arkansas on Sept. 24 at 7:30 p.m.