DENVER -- In first-round action of the 2000 WAC women's soccer tournament on November 2, fourth-seed San Jose defeated fifth-seeded UTEP, 2-0, as sixth-seeded Fresno State upset third-seeded TCU, 3-1.
With the victories, San Jose State will face top-seeded and regular-season conference champion SMU today at 5:00 p.m. at Bulldog Stadium on the campus of Fresno State. The Bulldogs take on the second-seeded Hurricane of Tulsa at 7:30 p.m.
Winning teams will advance to the championship match at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, November 5. The tournament champion receives an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.
All-WAC selections Jackie Ostdiek and Brandy Apodaca gave San Jose State the early lead. Ostdiek, a senior defender, scored a little more than four minutes into regulation, as Apodaca, a senior midfielder, added an insurance goal before the half. San Jose State out shot UTEP 18-8. Spartan keeper Eryn Meyer collected five saves to record her second shutout of the season. Miner keeper Katie Gilmore, a second-team all-WAC selection, made 10 saves in the losing effort.
UTEP ended the fall campaign with an 8-12(3-4-0 WAC) record.
After losing the final four conference games on the schedule, Fresno State was the last team to squeeze into the tournament. Having lost to TCU by three goals on October 15, Fresno State was ready for the rematch. Bulldog freshman Jackie Jewell netted two goals, while WAC Player of the Year Jill Pearson added an insurance goal to secure the upset victory. Sherry Dick, a first-team all-WAC honoree, put TCU on the board, but it was not enough as the Bulldogs advanced to the semifinals with a 3-1 win.
Winning 10 games this fall, TCU finished the season with a 10-9-1 (5-2-0 WAC) mark.