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Related Material
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2004 Tournament Bracket.pdf
Fresno State vs. UTEP
Tulsa vs. Hawaii
UTEP vs. Rice
Tulsa vs. SMU
Rice vs. SMU
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HONOLULU SMU (15-3-3) captured a 2-0 win over Rice (14-4-3) to claim its fourth-straight and sixth overall, WAC Soccer Tournament title, in Honolulu. SMU earns the WAC's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament which begins Nov. 12. SMU's forward Olivia O'Rear grabbed MVP honors with two game-winning goals.
For a complete bracket click on the .pdf to the right.
It was the same outcome of the rematch from the 2003 WAC Championship. SMU defeated Rice, 2-1, in Dallas last year. The shutout for the Mustangs was their second the in the tournament. SMU defeated Tulsa, 1-0, to advance to the tournament's final. SMU finished the regular season with a 15-3-3 record. The Mustangs have been in the NCAA Tournament each of the past three seasons, advancing to the second round in both 2001 and 2002.
Oliva O'Rear, who has been the hottest player in the league as of late, registered her 14th goal of the year on an assist from Autumn Browning in the first half. It was her second game-winner, in as many games. The Mustangs scored an insurance goal before the first half concluded, as Erin MacCallum scored on a cross from Amanda Jordan.
Led by head coach John Cossaboon, the Mustangs placed four on the WAC's all-Tournament team. O'Rear earned MVP honors, while midifielder, Susanne Collins, WAC Freshman of the Year, defender Kimber Bailey and goalkeeper, Amanda Clark all took home awards.
Rice didn't have the chances or looks it needed to stop the Mustang's offense. It was just the second time all season that 2004 WAC Player of the Year, goalkeeper Lauren Shockley, gave up goals in back-to-back games. Rice closes out its regular season with a record of 14-4-3, and is hoping for an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. It would be the first the young four-year history of the program.
The following is a complete list of the 2004 WAC all-Tournament team.
F Olivia O'Rear, SMU*
F Clory Martin, Rice
F Katie Ward, Tulsa
MF Cara Nordin, UTEP
MF Susanne Collins, SMU
MF Joelle Sugai, Hawaii
MF Carrie Schnarre, Tulsa
D Kimber Bailey, SMU
D Caitlin Currie, Rice
D Susanne Day, Tulsa
GK Amanda Clark, SMU
*Tournament MVP