PRAIRIE | ALLIE RENYA
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The WTAMU Lady Buff soccer team could not get past the University of Central Oklahoma in Lone Star Conference Championship on Nov. 8 at The Pitch.
The game turned into a shootout after the two teams were tied, 1-1 in double overtime.
“We definitely outplayed them,” Kelsey Wright, sophomore center, said. “That’s not how the game should have ended. But that’s soccer and how the sport is played. It was really hard to lose like that.”
The Bronchos were the first to put points on the board during the 29th minute as Shayna Kindsvater was able to get past the goalkeeper for the score; putting UCO up 1-0.
The Lady Buffs battled back in the 78th minute as sophomore forward Becky Hewson scored off a free kick from 25 yards out to tie the game, 1-1.
UCO had two more scoring opportunities, but was unable to convert forcing the game into a ten-minute overtime.
Both defenses held each other scoreless forcing a double overtime and ultimately a shootout.
In the shootout, UCO was able to score on numerous penalty kicks making the final score 4-2 and walking away with their fifth Lone Star Conference title.
“It’s disappointing losing the conference championship because it’s my senior year,” Kayla Sisco, midfielder, said. “We have so much potential to go further into regionals and even nationals.”
Despite the loss, three athletes were honored to the Lone Star Conference Championship All-Tournament Team. Sisco, Nadia James and Melissa Carnero represent WTAMU on the list of honorees.
“Those three definitely worked their tails off this season and during that game,” Wright said. “Everyone who played in that game worked really hard.”
WT may have come up short in the LSC Championship, but that doesn’t mean their season is over yet.
The Lady Buffs 14-2-3 overall record has qualified them to host the NCAA Regional Tournament Nov. 13 and 15 at The Pitch.
The Lady Buffs received a first round bye granting them the opportunity to sit out on Friday.
They will play the winner of the Truman State (14-3-3) and Nebraska-Omaha (13-5-2) matchup.