KANSAS CITY—The Utah Valley University women's soccer team couldn't overcome a 2-0 first-half deficit as the Wolverines dropped a 2-1 decision to top-seeded Seattle U on Friday in the semifinals of the WAC Women's Soccer Tournament at Durwood Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri.
 
Utah Valley wraps up is season with a 10-8-2 overall record, marking the team's third-straight 10-plus win season. Seattle U improves to 13-5-1 on the year with the win.
 
"We knew we had to change something because our first half wasn't the best," said Utah Valley head coach Brent Anderson. "We came out a little flat and that turned into some panic. As we ended the half we started to get a little rhythm. We changed the formation a little bit in the second half and the girls made some adjustments and came back out with some energy. I think we did a good job in the second half putting Seattle under pressure. We got a lot of good looks on goal. We were a little unfortunate in hitting the crossbar. Seattle is a good team and they did the damage in the first half."
 
Seattle U opened up the scoring in the 12th minute as Brie Hooks passed the ball to an open Natasha Howe at the top of the box on the left side. Howe then kicked the ball into the right upper 90 for the score to give SU a 1-0 advantage.
 
The Redhawks scored just three minutes later in the 15^th minute as Karli White found Isabelle Butterfield cutting toward the goal. Butterfield beat a UVU defender to the ball before punching it in to extend SU's lead to 2-0.
 
Utah Valley got on the scoreboard in the 73rd minute as Sheridan Fox deflected a ball to Sara Callister who picked it up and beat three SU defenders towards the box before firing a shot past the keeper for the score. The goal marks Callister's second goal of the season.
 
"I'm proud of the team," Anderson said. "It's been a good season. It's been a little inconsistent at times but they've battled throughout and have had some great victories. Our senior class has been great for us. We will miss them obviously. They have added a lot of leadership and a lot of fun to the program. They will be missed and we're thankful to everything they have done. We're looking to building on this young group that we have coming back and putting in a better performance next year."
 
Utah Valley out-shot Seattle U 11-7 on the night. The two teams each had five shots on goal. Libby Weber led the Wolverines with three shots while Sydney Fitzpatrick added two.
 
Brooklyn Nielsen registered one save in the first half of play in the box. Sarah Davis played the second half in goal for the Wolverines, collecting two saves.
 
With the win, Seattle U advances to its fourth-straight WAC Tournament championship match against the winner of tonight's match between No. 2 CSU Bakersfield and No. 3 UMKC. The winner of Sunday's championship game earns the WAC's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.