OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLA — The UT Tyler Women's Soccer program were able to take down Oklahoma Christian in a thriller that went to penalty kicks to advance to the Semifinal round of the Lone Star Conference Championship. The Patriots outshot the Eagles 11 to 5 in regulation and 14 to 6 overall. They also added an eight to one advantage in corner kicks over Oklahoma Christian.
The Patriots pushed forward first, earning two early corners and creating a run of dangerous scoring chances as
Marin Love,
Lexi Luff and
Lily Moreno, all sent shots towards the net looking to put UT Tyler up early on the road. including attempts off the top woodwork. The Patriots would keep the pressure on throughout the opening half, as Love picked up the first shot on goal for either side as the Patriots senior captain forced a bottom-left save at the bottom-left side of the net in the 28th minute. That would be the last shot for both teams as they went into the half scoreless.
However, after the break, UT Tyler kept attacking, with
Ella Anderson and Luff creating some early pressure sending back to back chances at the net in the 54th minute.
It was the Patriots continued aggression that would break the tie though in the 68th minute as a great cross pitch pass would find Luff wide open down the field, she would find Anderson in the box as UT Tyler's goal leader used some fancy footwork to find space in the box and send a rocket past the keeper to the top right corner of the goal to put the Patriots ahead 1-0.
UT Tyler stayed on their front foot despite the lead, getting scoring chances from
Kayden Raney,
Carson Glenn and Anderson, but Okla. Christian found the equalizer in the 89th minute to send the match to overtime tied 1-1.
Both overtime periods were defensive battles with both teams combined for just four shots overall, none of which required a save.
Danica Anaya, Love and Glenn all added shots during the extra time as the Patriots held OC without a shot in the first period. Neither side could secure the game winner which meant the match would be decided by penalty kicks.
Anderson, Love and
Audrey Varney converted the Patriots first three attempts.
Robbi Curry was able to make a diving save on the Eagles third attempt to give UT Tyler the advantage.
Presley See made the Patriots fourth attempt but Moreno's shot was blocked to tie things back up. However,
Ava Harris and
Sarah Hayes were able to put their attempts in the back of the goal to put the pressure back on Oklahoma Christian in the seventh round. The Eagles attempt would sail over the crossbar as the Patriots leave Oklahoma with a thrilling win to keep their season alive.
Love led the Patriots with four shots including one shot on goal. Defensively,
Arianna Johnson,
Samantha White and Savannah Clark smothered the Eagles offensive weapons limiting them to just six shot in the match with only one on goal. The physicality of the postseason was on full display as well with both teams committing 11 fouls, with three yellow cards being issued.
UT Tyler will now head west to take on the top seeded, number one ranked team in the nation Dallas Baptist in the Semifinals Thursday night at 5 p.m.
