University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
West Virginia
UConn Knocks Out West Virginia In Penalty Kicks In The Semifinal Round Of The BIG EAST Tournament
3/19/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
NOTRE DAME, Ind. (November 7, 2008) - The University of Connecticut women's soccer team returned to the semifinal round of the BIG EAST Tournament for the first time since 2005 and defeated West Virginia (13-3-5, 7-1-3 BIG EAST) for the third straight time in BIG EAST tournament play this time in penalty kicks. The game ended at a 1-1 at the end of double overtime bringing the Huskies to a 7-8-6 overall record, 4-3-4 in the BIG EAST. The Huskies scored first when Annie Yi netted her second goal in as many games with some help from Ashley O'Brien. But West Virginia was able to tie it up 11 minutes later sending the game to overtime and eventually penalty kicks where the No. 3 seeded UConn knocked out the regular season American division BIG EAST Champions West Virginia.
The Huskies were able to control the ball much more than they were the first time the two teams met up earlier this year. The Huskies had the first opportunity to score when sophomore Meghan Cunningham (Simsbury, Conn.) broke free of the backfield and charged her way up the field taking the only shot on goal of the half just minutes into the game. Cunningham's shot was saved by West Virginia keeper Kerri Butler keeping the game tied at 0-0.
Both teams controlled the ball evenly but there wasn't much offense for the rest of the half as UConn finished the first half with two shots while West Virginia had five.
UConn came out of the locker room firing as for the third game in a row, junior Ashley O'Brien (Broad Brook, Conn.) was able to tally a point on a helper when she crossed the ball from the right side of the field over to junior Annie Yi (Indianapolis, Ind.) who turned and shot the ball past Butler and into the ball for the go-ahead goal during the 47th minute. Yi scored for the second straight game, her goal against Georgetown was the game-winner.
West Virginia put the pressure on the UConn defense and on a chip shot over the head of senior goalie Stephanie Labbe (Stony Plain, Alberta) was able to tie the game up at 1-1 during the beginning of the 58th minute of play. Erica Henderson put in the game-tying goal on a cross from Nicole Mailloux to even things up. The goal was the first that UConn had allowed West Virginia since October 21, 2005.
After they tied the game up, West Virginia brought the offense really testing the UConn defense. After West Virginia's 10th corner kick of the game there was a flurry of activity in the box but a few outstanding diving saves by Labbe kept the game knotted up at one-apiece.
West Virginia added 18 shots to their total during the second half but the only goal allowed by the Huskies was the game-tying goal. UConn only had six shots during the second half giving them a total of eight shots against the West Virginia defense. The most shots that the Mountaineers have allowed during their 2008 season was 10 against Tennessee and Santa Clara. The Huskies finished the game with 11 shots.
The score stayed tied at one sending the game into overtime. This is the second time this season that the two teams have needed overtime to decide the outcome of the game with the regular season game ended in a 0-0 tie.
UConn almost ended the game during the 94th minute. After subbing in, sophomore Cory Bildstein (Stockton, N.J.) sprinted up the field and drew Butler out of the goal and was able to get the ball by her, but Robin Rushton was there to make the save. Senior Brittany Tegeler (Baldwin, Md.) collected the rebound and tried to get the ball into the goal before Butler could make it back but again, the shot was blocked and the game continued into a second overtime.
After a scoreless double overtime, the game was decided by penalty kicks. UConn won the coin toss and decided to let West Virginia kick first. Carolyn Blank made the first penalty kick of the night for the Mountaineers but just seconds later, O'Brien tied the score up at one each. Deana Everett's shot sailed way high during West Virginia's second penalty kick and with Labbe taking the second kick for the Huskies, they were able to take the 2-1 lead. Labbe got back in goal and made a save on the third West Virginia penalty kick. With sophomore Becky Gundling (Farmington, Conn.) tricking Butler and getting the third penalty kick in the goal, she helped to solidify the UConn lead. Meghan Lewis for West Virginia made her shot but by that time it was too late as Cunningham tapped her shot in and gave UConn the win.
The Huskies will move on to the BIG EAST Championship game for the first time since 2004 where they will meet up with Notre Dame at Noon on Sunday, November 9. The game will be broadcasted on BIG EAST TV with live coverage showing on COX Sports New England.
