Women's Soccer: WVU Falls In PK Shootout
November 07, 2008 07:25 PM | General
By Tim Goodenow for MSNsportsNET.com
November 7, 2008
| UConn 1, #12 West Virginia 1 (2 OT) UConn advances on penalty kicks, 4-2 BIG EAST Semifinal Alumni Field Notre Dame, Ind. |
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Box Score |
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| Shots | 11 | 28 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Shots on Goal | 5 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Saves | 7 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Corner Kicks | 0 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Fouls | 12 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Top WVU Players | ||||||||||||||||||||
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NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Despite a season-high 28 shots, the 12th-ranked West Virginia women’s soccer team fell to Connecticut in penalty kicks, 4-2, in a 1-1 draw Friday afternoon in BIG EAST Championship semifinal action at Alumni Field.
“Give Connecticut credit for battling throughout the match and executing in the shootout,” said Head Coach Nikki Izzo-Brown. “We played well but couldn’t put away our opportunities. Losing in penalty kicks is always hard but we have to realize the season is not over.”
Connecticut connected on all four of its penalty kicks including the game-clinching try from sophomore Meghan Cunningham. West Virginia made only two of its four penalty kicks.
“Losing in PKs is no fun,” said junior midfielder Carolyn Blank. “We played really well today but came up short in the end. Our goal was to defend our BIG EAST Championship and that didn’t happen. We have to get re-focused and make a nice run in the NCAA tournament.”
After a scoreless first half, the Huskies struck first on a goal from junior Annie Yi in the 47th minute. Junior Ashley O’Brien crossed a ball to a wide open Yi who one-timed the ball inside the far post for the 1-0 lead.
West Virginia quickly countered with a goal from redshirt freshman Erica Henderson at 57:06. The Rochester, N.Y., native received the ball inside the box on a long pass from junior Nicole Mailloux. Henderson turned and chipped the ball over UConn goalkeeper Stephanie Labbe to knot the score at 1-1.
The Mountaineers were dominant for most of the contest, controlling possession and out-shooting Connecticut 28-11 on the afternoon. WVU totaled 12 corner kicks, including seven in the second half, while the Huskies did not attempt one the entire 110 minutes.
Senior forward Deana Everrett led all players with eight shots and Blank attempted six shots.
“You have to credit their goalkeeper for coming up with some incredible saves,” said Blank. “We threw a lot at her but she was very good tonight.”
West Virginia pressured Connecticut the entire first half and used possession-soccer to generate scoring chances. WVU’s best opportunity came in the 33rd minute when senior forward Stephanie Burgess left a ball for Everrett whose shot sailed just right of the goal.
WVU rattled off 18 second half shots including one from Everrett in the 48th minute from 10 yards out. Labbe used all of her 5-foot-10-inch frame in making a diving save on the shot sent far post.
With 10 minutes left in regulation, senior defender Greer Barnes nearly put the Mountaineers ahead on a hard shot inside the box. It was Labbe again coming up with a big save for the Huskies.
Labbe, who was named the BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Year on Thursday night, totaled seven saves as well as a goal during the penalty kicks. West Virginia counterpart Kerri Butler totaled three saves including two impressive saves in the second half.
Three minutes into overtime, the WVU defense pulled forward to draw Connecticut offsides. Play continued and senior Brittany Tegeler slid a ball past Butler that rolled towards an empty net. Senior Robin Rushton charged back and was able to clear the ball off the line and make a brilliant team save.
“What a great play by Robin on the save to keep us alive. It was all effort,” added Izzo-Brown.
The Mountaineers move to 13-2-6 on the season while the Huskies go to 7-8-6. Connecticut will face the winner of tonight’s second semifinal between Marquette and host Notre Dame.
Today’s match was the first-ever penalty kick shootout for a women’s soccer game at Notre Dame’s Alumni Field.
West Virginia awaits its destination for the NCAA tournament with the selection show set for Monday evening, Nov. 10, on ESPNEWS.
