Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Tulsa
'Dogs Seize Regular Season WAC Title
10/25/1999 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Oct. 25, 1999
Tulsa - The No. 24 Fresno State women?s soccer squad wrapped up their Western Athletic Conference regular season with a come from behind, double-overtime victory over the Tulsa Golden Hurricane to claim the program?s first regular season conference crown.
The ?Dogs (13-3-3, 4-0-2) downed the Golden Hurricane (7-8-0, 1-5) in dramatic fashion with their 3-2 win in Tulsa. Fresno State spotted Tulsa the first goal of the match with Julie Twellman cracking the back of the net in the game?s fifth minute. With the game continuing at a frantic pace, both squads picked up numerous fouls and cards. Bulldog forward Jill Pearson received her second caution in the game?s 24th minute when she was called for a hand ball in the Tulsa box.
Now battling a man down, Fresno State regrouped to play high pressure point of attack defense with outside midfielders playing into the corners away from the extra Tulsa player. Andrea Morelock leveled the scoreboard when she scored off a kick-out from Morgan Oliveira. The goal was the first of Morelock?s season and fourth of her career.
Tied at one entering the second period, the Bulldogs turned up the heat and quickly found net to seize the control of the match. Freshman Virginia Jenkins beat the Golden Hurricane keeper when she redirected a cross from Oliveira. The goal came within two minutes of the commencement of the second half and was the first of Jenkins career.
Continuing to control tempo of play despite playing with nine field players, Tulsa threaten rarely with ?Dog keeper Jennifer Johnstone turning the Golden Hurricane back out to sea for most of the second half with numerous saves. But during the 85th minute, Tulsa?s Shelly Lehmkuhle received an open look 25 yards out. Lehmkuhle buried the shot to push the match into overtime.
Fresno State received another blow when senior defender Kristin Dunlap succumbed to injury in overtime. Despite losing Dunlap, the defense rallied to limit Tulsa to one shot on goal in the first overtime ? a shot that Johnstone safely reigned in.
During the second overtime a renewed Bulldog attack took the field with Reyna Green playing direct and dishing to teammates. In the match?s 117th minute, Green fired a serve into the box towards Corrine Atkins. Atkins jumped and headed the ball over the Golden Hurricane keeper for the win.
"Today was tremendous effort by everyone," head coach Peter Reynaud said. "We got some goals from people who haven?t scored that often this season, and we played a man down for almost 90 minutes. It was a terrific team effort."
The win earns Fresno State its first ever WAC regular season women?s soccer championship. The Bulldogs did not lose a game while playing in conference and continues with one of the nation?s longest unbeaten streaks now extended to 14-consecutive matches.
The Bulldogs will see their next action Friday when Dunlap, Megan McAlpin, Sarah McEachen, Johnstone and Sara Yudin say goodbye to Bulldog Stadium during their senior day festivities before battling San Diego at 7 p.m.
