WAC kicks off soccer tournament in Logan
Kicking off the 2012 Western Athletic Conference soccer tournament, No. 3 seeded Texas State University staved off an upset bid from No. 6 Idaho to advance with a 2-1 overtime win Thursday at Chuck and Gloria Bell field in Logan, Utah.
Idaho’s Katie Baran capitalized on an early opportunity for the Vandals in the third minute, heading home a clear attempt from 22 yards to put Idaho up and stun the Texas State sideline.
The Vandals kept the pressure on throughout the first half, outshooting the Bobcats 10-3 and earning three corner kicks to Texas State’s one. But despite the offensive onslaught, Texas State’s Kelsie Townsend evened the score late in the first half.
The junior midfielder took a pass from Brenna Smith and dribbled into the box before putting a shot in the back of the net with less than a minute remaining before the intermission. The goal gave the Bobcats momentum which they carried into the second half, but were unable to break through for the go-ahead goal in regulation.
Six minutes into the first overtime, junior forward Lynsey Curry sealed the deal for Texas State with a 16-yard strike, assisted by Emma Staley, to avoid the upset.
The Bobcats outshot the Vandals 15-5 in the second half, and 20-16 for the game.
Texas State advances to face WAC co-champion and No. 2 seed Denver in the semifinals on Friday, Nov 2 at noon.
-curtis.lundstrom@aggiemail.usu.edu
Twitter: @CurtisLundstrom