Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
13-5-3
Nevada (WAC Tournament)
13-4-4
Shootout Loss Ends Fresno State's WAC Tournament Hopes
11/5/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Nov. 5, 2006
Reno, Nev. - After battling through 110 scoreless minutes, the Western Athletic Conference's automatic bid came down to a shootout. Nevada senior Aivi Luik was able to put the kick home, as the Bulldogs fell short on the penalty kicks 4-2. The Bulldogs (13-5-3) ended the year unscored upon in nine conference games, and recorded their 16th shutout of the season.
Both teams made their initial shot after the game went to penalty kicks, with Miranda Montejo and Aubrey Tennant both making their attempts. Nevada moved ahead after Samantha Miller made the second shot two to one, and Caitlin Holmes made a diving stop on Mary Trigg's offering to take the lead. Terran Hadlock and Barbara Davis both made the third shot, keeping the `Dogs behind one at 3-2. Karen Zmirak's offering hit the left post, opening the door for Fresno State, but Erika Sugano's fourth shot went wide, keeping Nevada's lead at one. With one shot remaining for each team, Luik's goal ended the shootout and the game in favor of the Wolf Pack.
Fresno State came out quickly at the start of the game, taking control of the opening kickoff and holding possession in the Nevada box for nearly all of the first ten minutes. That work culminated in a hard shot from sophomore Alison Sill that moved just wide of the goal as the Bulldogs opened the game with two quick shots from Sill.
The momentum would shift towards Nevada following the early control by the Bulldogs. Nevada created a shot directly in front of the net for Aivi Luik in the 13th minute, but Fresno State goaltender Angie Larsen was up to the challenge for her first save of the night. The Wolfpack had another opportunity as Samantha Miller took a shot just outside of the box that moved just over the net.
Nevada had a final chance in the second half in the 38th minute, as Nevada was awarded a direct kick from twenty yards out. Taking the shot, Randee Robinson's kick was punched away by Larsen to save the game.
Fresno State opened the second half with an early opportunity, earning a corner kick in the 47th minute. Andrea Alires sent the ball into the box and Selena Gill came free for a header which bounced past goaltender Caitlin Holmes but bounced off of the crossbar to be cleared by the Wolf Pack defense.
Nevada answered back with two chances in the 53rd minute, as Miranda Montejo came free for two chances at changing the score, but missed the goal on both opportunities. Continuing to press, the Wolf Pack returned the favor from Gill, sending her third shot of the game off of the crossbar.
One final opportunity presented itself for the Bulldogs, as Sill took a corner kick in the 70th minute for the Bulldogs. After sending the ball in, it was cleared back to Sill who put the ball into the box one more time, but Holmes came out and caught the ball to end the threat.
Fresno State turned back two corner kicks in the final minute to send the game into overtime.
The Bulldogs had the first shot in the overtime period, as Erika Sugano served the ball to Chelsea Davis, whose hard shot was denied by Holmes in the 93rd minute. Moments later, the Bulldogs just missed another chance when Cortney Sobrero's shot on goal moved just outside of the right post.
Remaining deadlocked through the rest of the overtime periods, Fresno State stopped Nevada's lone shot on goal before heading to the deciding penalty kicks.
Four Bulldogs were named to the WAC All-Tournament team. Defenders Aubrey Tennant and Rochelle Jagdeo were honored, along with Friday night's hero Antonea Lugo and forward Cortney Sobrero.
The Bulldogs' postseason hopes now rest with the NCAA selection committee, who will decide the 64-team field tomorrow, with the announcement coming at noon on ESPNNews.
Shootout Results
UNR: Miranda Montejo - Made ground left (1-0 UNR)
FS: Aubrey Tennant - Made ground right (1-1)
UNR: Samantha Miller - Made ground (2-1 UNR)
FS: Mary Trigg - Save Holmes (2-1 UNR)
UNR: Terran Hadlock - Made Ground Right (3-1 UNR)
FS: Barbara Davis - Made Top Right (3-2 UNR)
UNR: Karen Zmirak - Hit left post (3-2 UNR)
FS: Erika Sugano - Missed Right (3-2 UNR)
UNR: Aivi Luik - Made ground right (Nevada Wins 4-2 on kicks)
