LEXINGTON, Ky. – The West Virginia University women's soccer team played to a 1-1 draw with No. 5-seed Kentucky in double overtime in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament. After a penalty shootout to decide the advancing team, the Wildcats advanced to Second Round by a 4-2 count inside the Wendell & Vickie Bell Soccer Complex in Lexington, Kentucky, on Friday night.
 
Both teams found the back of the net in the second half, but after two overtime periods, the score remained knotted at 1-1 and went to the penalty shootout. The score was tied 1-1 after the first round, but UK took a 2-1 lead after the second. Going into the fourth round with Kentucky holding a 3-2 lead, WVU missed its kick and UK converted to take the shootout win.
 
The first half ended scoreless, with neither team getting a great look at the goal. The two teams went into the break with just one shot on goal apiece. Out of the break, the Mountaineers struck early when sophomore defender Olivia Shertzer found the back of the net with a rocket from the top of the 18-yard box in the 52nd minute. She dribbled up the sideline and into the attacking third before sending the ball into the upper right-hand corner of the net. The score marked her second of the season.
 
Unfortunately, Kentucky drew level a few minutes later to make the score 1-1, which held until the end of the second overtime period. The box score showed a 20-18 Kentucky advantage in shots, but the Mountaineers held an 8-4 lead in shots on goal. Redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Mackenzie Smith tallied seven saves in the contest.
 
With the draw, WVU moves to 23-20-6 all-time in the NCAA Tournament. Additionally, the Mountaineers are 3-4 in penalty shootouts in tournament play.
 
West Virginia concluded the 2024 season Friday night, finishing the year with a 12-5-3 overall record, as well as an 8-2-1 record in Big 12 Conference play. The Mountaineers 12 wins this season marked their most 2019, while the eight conference wins are the most since 2016. WVU returned to the NCAA Tournament for the 23rd time in program history and earned its first at-large bid since 2020. Furthermore, coach Nikki Izzo-Brown and the Mountaineers earned the program's 400th win on Oct. 13, as the Mountaineers' all-time record now stands at 402-143-76.
 
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