|
|
Related Material
|
Box Score
|
Houston - Top seeded SMU (12-5-4) won its second WAC title in as many seasons, defeating second UTEP (16-3), 3-1, in Houston at Rice Soccer Stadium. Laura Mussalem scored the game winning goal, with 21 minutes left in the match. The Mustangs will now advance tot he NCAA Tournament. Holly Cohen was named the tournament MVP, scoring three goals against Rice.
UTEPs outstanding season came to a end, even after a quick start by UTEP, scoring in the second minute. The match settled down to a defensive battle, with UTEP holding a 1-0, halftime advantage, outshooting the Mustangs, eight to six.
UTEPs Amber Mack notched the first goal of the match, scoring off an assist from Kelly Parker at 1:54. First team all-WAC goalkeeper Erin McLeod turned away four Miner shots in the first half.
SMU tied the game in the 51st minute, unassisted, blasting one past Miner keeper, Kyla Clark. The score gave new life to the Mustangs. Sophomore goalkeeper Erin McLeod, who sat out against Fresno State the night before, was stellar in goal. McLeod was playing with the Canadian National Team, returning in time for this match. She tallied seven goals for the match.
Miner midfielder, Kate Stevens received a red card at the 53 minute mark, leaving UTEP down a man for the rest of the match. SMU took the advantage, taking a 2-1 lead, off a Laura Mussallem goal, unassisted. With the goal, the Mustangs kept the momentum and the game.
Mustang midfielder Jill Heinemann scored on a penalty kick in the 75th minute, putting the insurance on the board, giving the Mustangs the lead for good. The 3-1 win matches the mark SMU had when it defeated the Miners earlier in the season.
The title is the second straight, fourth overall for the Mustangs. SMU advanced to the championship, squeezing out a 2-1 win in double overtime against Fresno State in the semifinal match.
The Mustangs will now advance to the NCAA Tournament, finding out their seed and who they will play at 4:30 (ET) on ESPN News.
The following is the list of the 2002 all-WAC Tournament team
F-Miranda Cuthbertson, Sr., UTEP
F-Holly Cohen, Sr. UTEP
F-Kim Harvey, Jr., SMU
F-Kortney Lewis, Fr. Fresno State
MF-Katri Nokso-Koivisto, Fr. Fresno State
*MF-Jill Heinemann, So., SMU
MF-Kelly Parker, Sr. UTEP
*D-Diana Kelm, SMU
D-Caitlin Currie, So., Rice
D-Kat McShane, Sr. UTEP
GK-Mary-tyler Wahl, Fresno State
Tournament MVP - Holly Cohen, Sr., F, UTEP
*2001 all-tournament team