BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - Utah Valley claimed the 2015 WAC Women's Soccer Tournament title with a 2-0 victory over Seattle U. The Wolverines used goals from Taylor Kirk and Sara Callister, along with a four-save shutout by Tournament MVP Jessica Duffin, to earn the automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament.
Kirk, a junior forward, latched on to a turnover from the Seattle U defense and was able to fend off a defender and beat SU keeper Brianna Smallidge to the lower right corner for the opener. The goal came largely against the early run of play, on UVU's first shot of the match, after SU dominated pressure and possession for the first 20 minutes.
In the second half, SU again had much of the early pressure, but Duffin, the WAC Defensive Player of the Year, held strong in goal. In the 70th minute, UVU executed a prefect counter attack, as Kirk found Callister on the right wing and she beat Smallidge to the top right corner for the insurance goal.
The win gives UVU its first NCAA Tournament berth and head coach Brent Anderson his 100th career win. It is also the Wolverines first victory over SU in school history, after going 0-9-1 in the previous 10 matches. The loss ended Seattle U's 16-game unbeaten streak, which was the longest in the nation.
UVU will find out its opponent in the NCAA Tournament during the selection show on Monday at 2:30 p.m. MT. Watch live at
http://www.ncaa.com/liveschedule/2015/11/09