Sophomore forward and recent OU transfer Caitlin Mooney grew up in Oklahoma, but had dreams of playing soccer at an east coast school.

"I had committed to Villanova for about a year and a half, but then the coach resigned," Mooney said. "So I started having to look for another school."

Mooney said she wanted to play in the ACC because she loved the cold weather and the atmosphere, which led her to Maryland, where she played for only a year before growing discontent with the situation.

"Initially when I visited, I loved the coaches, loved the school, loved the players," Mooney said. "But when I got there, it was different than what I was told it would be."

Despite the unfilled expectations of the school itself, Mooney had a productive freshman season on the field.

Mooney appeared in all but one of her team's games last season, scoring four goals which was tied for fourth on the team. Her contributions helped the Terrapins reach the Sweet 16.

After the season, Mooney said she talked with family, and her former coach about her future.

"I talked to my parents over Thanksgiving, and I told them I was really just unhappy with the situation at Maryland," Mooney said. "We just decided it would be best if I came back here."

Although Mooney ended up here at OU, there was a possibility that she could've ended up on the other side of the Bedlam rivalry.

"I was thinking about OU and Oklahoma State," Mooney said. "Me and my parents sat down and weighed the pros and cons. OSU is obviously a really good school too, but OU just seemed like the place that would benefit me better and that I would enjoy."

One of the factors that brought Mooney to Norman was OU head coach Nicole Nelson. While Nelson was at the University of Texas, she recruited Mooney.

"We had established a relationship during the recruiting process," Nelson said.

Mooney was also very familiar with a current OU player, fellow sophomore forward Dria Hampton. The two played club soccer together, and also both trained with the U.S. National team.

"Me and Dria have played together for a really long time, and we combine really well," Mooney said.

Mooney said the transition to the school this semester has been very smooth.

"It's been awesome," Mooney said. "All the girls have reached out to me, Nicole [Nelson] has reached out to me. It's been really easy actually."

Nelson agreed that Mooney seemed to be right at home at the OU campus.

"It has been effortless," Nelson said of the transfer. "She's very comfortable, and it seems like she is happy to be home."

The addition of Mooney, combined with Hampton and star senior Whitney Palmer give the Sooners the potential for a big season next year.

"We have a lot of great returning players, not to mention the great recruiting class that we'll have," Nelson said. "The expectations with Mooney are now higher, anytime you can add another goal-scorer to your team, it increases your chances of winning."

Mooney too has high hopes for the upcoming season.

"We're going to be really good," Mooney said. "I feel like they're going to build off of last year, and I'm just here to help build off of it. The goal is to win the conference championship, and even the national championship."