SEATTLE, Wash.—
Kim Stratford's overtime goal in the 97
th minute gave the Utah Valley University women's soccer team a 2-1 win over Texas-Pan American Thursday night in the quarterfinals of the WAC Tournament at Championship Field in Seattle, Wash.
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With the win, Utah Valley (13-6-2) advances to Friday night's tournament semifinal matchup against Missouri-Kansas City. The 13 wins this season breaks the school record for victories in a single season. The 2011 UVU team held the previous record of 12 victories in a single season.
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"Texas-Pan American was very organized and made things very difficult for us tonight," said Utah Valley head coach
Brent Anderson. "We didn't create enough attacking opportunities in the first half. We did a better job in the second half as we stretched out their backline and found some seams and created a lot more opportunities."
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Lexi Robison gave the Wolverines a 1-0 lead in the 75
th minute when Sidney Fitzpatrick raced down the right side of the field and crossed the ball to Robison who put it in the back of the net.
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With the score tied 1-1 in overtime, Stratford scored the game-winning goal at the 96:29 mark after
Tori Smith rebounded her own shot on the left side and made a quick pass to Stratford in the middle of the box for the score.
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"Our team showed a lot of heart and I'm very proud of the way they battled and kept control of the ball and stuck with the game plan," Anderson said. " We created some good opportunities and I'm just happy to see them put that ball in the net to finish that game off and we need to recover now and move forward."
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Utah Valley out-shot the Broncs 20-6 on the night. Robison led the Wolverines with a match-high six shots, including two on goal.
Jessica Duffin led Utah Valley in goal with two saves.
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Utah Valley will now play Missouri-Kansas City on Friday night at 8:30 p.m. MT. The winner will advance to Sunday's championship match.
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