BAKERSFIELD, Calif.—Taylor Kirk and Sara Callister each scored goals while Jessica Duffin secured the shutout in goal to lead the Utah Valley University women's soccer team to a 2-0 win over top-seeded Seattle U on Sunday to claim the team's first-ever WAC Tournament title.
 
The win over the Redhawks snaps Seattle U's nation-leading 16 match unbeaten streak and earns Utah Valley (14-6-1) the WAC's automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament. The win also marks head coach Brent Anderson's 100th overall victory.
 
"It's a really proud moment for the program and for this team," Anderson said. "We knew Seattle would come to battle today. They put us under a lot of pressure. Our team did a good job of staying disciplined and organized. It was a great team effort today. I'm really proud of the way team played and the maturity they showed. Winning this WAC championship and getting the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament has been something we've been focused on and pushing towards ever since we got into the WAC. To realize that goal is a great feeling and our team is ecstatic about it."
 
Kirk scored the unassisted game winner in the 19th minute after she stole the ball from a Seattle U defender, dribbled into the box, and fired a shot into the back of the net.
 
Utah Valley scored again in the 69th minute as Kirk sent a ball down the right side to a streaking Callister, who dribbled once and connected on a shot just out of the reach of the SU keeper for the score.
 
Duffin earns her eighth shutout of the season and 17th of her career in the box. The senior keeper registered four saves on the day to hold the Redhawks scoreless.  Duffin, who registered two shutouts during tournament play, earned WAC Tournament MVP honors.
 
Kirk, Callister and Kalli Suesue were named to the WAC's all-tournament team for their efforts over the two matches.
 
Utah Valley will host a selection show viewing party on Monday with a time and location still to be determined. The Wolverines will find out their opponent in the NCAA Tournament during the live selection show on Monday at 2:30 p.m. The show can be viewed live at http://www.ncaa.com/liveschedule/2015/11/09
 
All-Tournament Team
Maja Green, So., D, CSU Bakersfield
Madi Gaimmona, Fr., M, CSU Bakersfield
Kelsey Mothershead, Fr., F, Missouri-Kansas City
Lexie Howard, Fr., MF/F, Missouri-Kansas City
Julia Moravec, Sr., F, Seattle U
Karli White, Fr., F, Seattle U
Kelly Beck, Sr., D, Seattle U
Taylor Kirk, Jr., MF, Utah Valley
Sara Callister, So., MF, Utah Valley
Kalli Suesue, Jr., D, Utah Valley
Tournament MVP: Jessica Duffin, Sr., GK, Utah Valley