Utah Valley Topples Memphis in First Round of NCAA Tournament
GREENVILLE, N.C. – The Utah Valley women's soccer team earned its first-ever NCAA Tournament victory following a 1-0 win over Memphis in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament. A Sadie Brockbank goal in the 60th minute lifted the Wolverines to the win over the Tigers.
The Wolverines forced the Memphis goalie, Elizabeth Moberg, to work early as Heather Stainbrook landed a shot on goal in the opening minute of the match. The Memphis offense also earned an early chance as Isabel Jones-Dawe collected her first save in the 10th minute.
The highlight of the first half came in 23rd minute as Utah Valley earned a penalty kick by way of a Memphis handball in the penalty area. However, Moberg proved to be up to the task as she stuffed Stainbrook's attempt. Despite zero goals in the first half, there were plenty of opportunities for both sides as Memphis out-shot the Wolverines 8-6.
The Wolverines eventually broke through in the second half as Amber Tripp found Brockbank for the go-ahead goal in the 60th minute. Brockbank was able to tap the Tripp pass over Moberg for one of the most important goals in program history.
Although the Tigers more than doubled the number of Utah Valley shots in the match (15-7), the Wolverines back line proved tough as they only allowed five shots on goal, all of which came in the first half.
With the win, the Wolverines advance to the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament where they will take on No. 6 Arkansas on May 1 at 4 p.m. ET. The second round contest will be aired on ESPN+.
The Razorbacks enter the matchup with an overall record of 11-3 while finishing 7-1 in SEC play to earn the regular season title. Arkansas is led by freshman midfielder Ellie Podojil who holds the team lead in both goals (7) and assists (9).