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HOUSTON - Top seeded SMU landed in its ninth overtime match of the season, defeating fifth-seeded Fresno State, 2-1 in double overtime to advance to its fourth WAC Championship Match. First team all-WAC midfielder Jill Heinemann, scored in the 107th minute, giving the Mustangs the win.
The Bulldogs close out the season at 8-13-0 overall, with a 5-3-0 record in WAC competition. SMU improves to 11-5-4, 6-1-1 WAC for the season and advances to the tournament final on Saturday. The Bulldogs finished the season by winning six of its final eight matches.
The Mustangs controlled the flow of the game through the first half, holding a 9-3 advantage in the shot department. Kim Harvey gave SMU the early 1-0 lead, drilling a shot into the net at the 6:03 mark of the first half.
The Bulldogs challenged in the second half and were able to set the pace in the early going with several scoring chances. Freshman Eriko Yoshiki fired a shot towards the open net that was deflected at the last second by an SMU defender and freshman Katri Nokso-Koivisto nearly missed a goal on a free kick when her shot sailed high over the crossbar.
It looked as if SMU, which boasted the conferences stingiest defense through the regular season, would preserve the shutout. However, the Bulldogs would continue to stay in the game and with just over a minute left in regulation, sophomore Koleen Anderson headed the ball into the goal following a free kick from junior Kristyn Kellogg to knot the game at 1-1 and force overtime.
SMU outshot Fresno State 22-8 for the contest. Fresno State goalkeeper Mary-tyler Wahl turned in a solid outing between the posts for the Bulldogs with five saves, while Amanda Clark notched four for SMU.
SMU will now take on the winner of sixth Rice and second seeded UTEP, who face eachother in the night cap of Friday's double header. The WAC Championship match is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. (CT) at Rice Soccer Stadium in Houston.