Highlights
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - No. 3 UMKC defeated No. 6 UTRGV 4-1 in the first round of the 2016 WAC Women's Soccer Tournament. The Roos move on to face No. 2 CSU Bakersfield tomorrow at 7 p.m. PT in the semifinals.
Niekie Pellens coverted a penalty kick in the 31st minute to give UMKC the lead, slotting the ball into the left lower corner of the net as UTRGV's Kinga Szemik went right. The Roos just missed two other chances in the first half, as Kelsey Mothershead had an effort saved off the line by UTRGV defender Diana Ansah and Reighan Childers drilled the crossbar from over 40-yards out.
Lilly Cobb extended the UMKC lead in the second half, curling in a shot from the right side of the box, after having her first attempt blocked. Just over six minutes later, Childers sent a perfect ball to put Kara Priest through on net and the junior calmly finished to put UMKC up 3-0. UMKC scored its fourth off a lovely team play that saw Ryann Burnett send a cross into the box that Lexie Howard deflected home.
UTRGV tested UMKC goalkeeper Anna Lillig 10 times and was only able to beat the sophomore once, when Marcela Ramirez nodded home Diandra Aliaga's corner in the 79th minute.
No. 1 Seattle U will face No. 4 Utah Valley in the other semifinal tomorrow. Both semifinals, and Sunday's championship match, will be available on the WAC Digital Network at www.WACSports.com/live.