OU’s Whitney Palmer scored her seventh goal of the year to down the Colorado Buffaloes 2-1 and end the weekend’s second overtime game at John Crain Field. With the win, the Sooners improve to 9-5-2, 4-2-1 in Big 12 action.

“We crumpled in the first half after being down by a goal,” sophomore midfielder Dria Hampton said. “But we changed tactics in the locker room at the half. It was a huge win, and I was just so excited for her (Palmer).”

Sunday’s win gave coach Nicole Nelson her first overtime win and the program’s first since 2005, when the Sooners beat Colorado by the same score (2-1). Previously, OU was 0-3-5 in overtime games.

“I’m so pleased at how this team just keeps getting better and better,” Nelson said. “We keep putting the pressure on the goal, and it’s hard for the other teams."

After trailing over 68 minutes in Sunday’s contest, Hampton snuck her fourth goal of the season past Colorado goalkeeper Annie Brunner to tie the game at one goal apiece and avoid a conference loss.

“Honestly, I didn’t even look at the goal when I shot it,” Hampton said. “I was just trying to hit the ball hard.”

Hampton’s goal sent both teams into two 10-minute periods of overtime action, where Palmer scored the game-winner 55 seconds into the first overtime period.

“It was so exciting,” Palmer said about her goal. “My whole family was here to see it.”

Colorado jumped out early over the Sooners with the game’s first goal three minutes into the contest by midfielder Kate Russell, her third of the season. With the goal, Russell tied Colorado’s offensive leader Kym Lowry in goals (3) this season. Midfielder Amy Barczuk collected the assist on Russell’s header that slipped past OU goalkeeper Kelsey Devonshire.

It took an entire first half and midway through the second before OU put its first score on the board. Hampton dribbled inside the Colorado box, sending her shot swiftly past Brunner in goal.

Both teams continued to produce opportunities on offense following Hampton’s goal, including some good looks from sophomore Caitlin Mooney. The Maryland transfer finished the game with three shots on goal but couldn’t connect with the back of the net.

Following a short intermission after the conclusion of regulation play, the Sooners came out on the attack, opening Palmer up for her ninth game-winning goal of her career.

“I just knew she (Palmer) was going to get one,” Hampton said about her teammate. “She was just due.”

Palmer finished with a game-high six shots after being held to a single shot in the first half. Hampton concluded the day with two shots.

The Sooner offense held the advantage for the second consecutive game in shots (19-7) and corner kicks (4-2). During Friday’s contest, the Sooners led in every offensive category, including shots (23-19), shots on goal (13-6) and corner kicks (7-6) but could not find the back of the net.

Sunday’s game was preceded by a scoreless tie with Nebraska after 110 minutes of action on Friday evening in Norman. The Sooner defense held the nation’s leading scorer — Morgan Marlborough — scoreless, ending the sophomore’s eight game scoring streak.

Both teams were ranked in the top five of the Big 12 standings with OU sitting at No. 4 while Nebraska was just ahead in the No. 3 position. Following the tie, Nebraska remained in their previous spot with an 11-4-1 overall record while the Sooners slipped to No. 5, just behind Texas Tech.

“It was a huge win because it keeps us in this race,” Nelson said about Sunday’s outcome. “There are three games left, and although OSU is out in front by a ways, they are at (Texas) A&M and Texas next weekend, then they come to our place. We are still in the race to win this thing.”

OU will face the same opponents next week during the final regular season road games before hosting the Cowgirls for the Bedlam matchup Oct. 29. The Sooners will visit No. 10 Texas A&M on Friday before invading Austin for a game against the No. 25 Texas Longhorns on Sunday.