CANYON, Texas – The NCAA South Central Semifinal match between University of Colorado Colorado Springs and West Texas A&M shaped up to be a premiere NCAA Tournament match in Canyon, Texas as the match was decided in PKs with the Lady Buffs coming out on top 4-3 in a seven shot shootout.
The Mountain Lions played two double overtime matches in three days this weekend. UCCS'
Kelsey Lanham came off the bench to register a perfect five shots on goal on five shots while also scoring the equalizer for UCCS.
Anna Gregg led the team with eight shots as
Tori Maydew recorded her first assist of the season.
In a scoreless first half, UCCS dominated possession out-shooting the Lady Buffs 11-3 with a 6-2 shot on goal advantage. Patterson led the way with three shots on goal while Gregg posted a team high five shots in the opening 45 minutes.
WTAMU came out in the second half trying to make up ground on the offensive side of the ball as Khadidra Debesette put the Lady Buffs on the board first in the 60
th minute to jump out 1-0. The Lady Buffs held onto the lead for a short 15 minutes as a set piece resulted in an equalizer in the 75
th minute for UCCS. A well struck free kick from Patterson was redirected in front of goal by
Tori Maydew as
Kelsey Lanham headed in the Maydew assist.
At the end of regulation, the score remained tied 1-1 and headed into overtime with UCCS out-shooting the Lady Buffs 17-8.
The first period of overtime continued a similar trend as earlier in the match with the Mountain Lions maintaining offensive pressure recording four shots and placing three shots on goal, while the UCCS backline didn't allow a single shot.
WTAMU bounced back offensively in the second overtime period to record four shots and a chance to put it away with a penalty kick, but the kick came up no good as neither team was able to find the back of the net in 110 minutes.
In seven attempts to determine a winner through the PK shootout, West Texas A&M came out on top 4-3 to advance past UCCS.
UCCS came to hold the advantage in shots (21-12), shots on goal (12-9), and corner kicks (3-1) in the match. Goalkeepers
Kaylyn Smith of UCCS and Courtney Dippel of West Texas A&M came up big for their respective teams, each making multiple diving plays in frame as Smith bagged 8 saves with Dippel bagging 11 saves.
The Mountain Lions finish the 2018 season with a 16-3-3 overall record adding a victory and draw resulting in a 3-1-2 NCAA Tournament record. Over the past two seasons, UCCS has a 33-8-3 record with two appearances in the NCAA Tournament, including a Final Four appearance in 2017.
