Women's Soccer: WVU Advances
November 08, 2002 09:58 PM | General
November 8, 2002
STORRS, CONN. – Rachel Kruze’s goal at the 79:06 mark helped West Virginia to a 3-2 come-from-behind victory over Rutgers and a berth into the Big East women’s soccer championship game against Connecticut on Sunday.
The Mountaineers, making their second straight Big East title appearance, got on the board first at the 15:34 mark when junior Chrissie Abbott converted a penalty kick for her conference-leading 19th goal of the year.
Rutgers standout Carli Lloyd answered thee minutes later when she got a shot past West Virginia goalkeeper Laura Finley to tie the score at one. Ashley Shaben assisted on the goal.
Early in the second half, Rutgers took the lead when Lloyd found the back of the net once again for her 12th goal of the season to give the Knights a 2-1 advantage.
West Virginia answered when freshmen Marisa Kanela beat the Rutgers defense for her third goal of the season off an assist from Abbott.
Senior Rachel Kruze scored the game-winner off an assist from Laura Kane.
Finley made four saves in 90 minutes of action while Rutgers goalkeeper Christine Caldwell was credited with five saves in 90 minutes.
West Virginia held a 17-8 advantage in shots and both teams were whistled for 15 fouls.
West Virginia improves to 17-1-1 while Rutgers falls to 10-8-2. It was the second time this season West Virginia has managed a come-from-behind win over the Knights and just the third time the Mountaineers have allowed more than one goal in a game.
Also, the Mountaineers’ streak of seven straight shutouts was snapped tonight, but more importantly, WVU extended its unbeaten streak to 17 matches and returns to the Big East championship game to face home-standing Connecticut, which defeated Villanova, 3-0 earlier tonight.
Sunday’s championship match will get underway at noon. MSNsportsNET’s coverage will begin at 11:50 a.m. The contest will also air on Fox Sports Net on a delayed basis. Consult your local listings.
