Thursday, November 7
Fullerton, CA
5:05 pm
UC Riverside
2
vs
1
UC Irvine (Big West Conference Semifinals)
Photo by: Gabriel L. Acosta
Kelly Velasquez Scores In 2 OT To Advance Women's Soccer To Big West Championship
11/7/2013 8:03:00 PM | Women's Soccer
Fullerton, CA—The UC Riverside Women's Soccer Team is heading to the Big West Conference Championship Match for the second time in its 13-year history thanks to freshman Kelly Velasquez's score in double overtime that gave the Highlanders a 2-1 victory over UC Irvine (Box Score/Video Highlights).
UC Riverside (8-12-1) played a ball down the right side of the field that appeared to be headed over the end line. But senior Andrea Morales never gave up on it, and was able to center the ball to Velasquez who was making a run down the left side. The Hacienda Heights native collected the ball and slotted it past the 'Eaters keeper, and the Highlanders poured onto the field to celebrate.
"I think like everybody else in the stadium, I thought the ball was going out," said UC Riverside second-year Head Coach Nat Gonzalez. "But 'Dre did a great job of keeping it in play, and Kelly did a great job not giving up on the run."
The teams played scoreless soccer in the first half, but the Anteaters broke through in the 57th minute thanks to a UC Riverside foul just outside their box. Mady Solos struck the subsequent free kick over the UCR wall, to put UC Irvine up 1-0. The Anteaters had not lost a match in which they had the lead the entire season.
The Highlanders scored the equalizer with 17:46 remaining in regulation when the Irvine keeper was called for a penalty in the box as she took out a UC Riverside player on a break away. Danielle Giltner converted the penalty kick to tie the score.
The Anteaters continued to press the issue, out-shooting the Highlanders 16-5 on the night, but Velasquez connected on the shot that counted keeping UC Riverside's season alive.
UCR is making its first appearance in the Big West Conference Tournament since 2005 when the Highlanders also advanced to the title match. They lost that game to Cal State Fullerton, but still received an at large bid to the NCAA Tournament where they fell to Colorado in penalty kicks.
UC Riverside (8-12-1) played a ball down the right side of the field that appeared to be headed over the end line. But senior Andrea Morales never gave up on it, and was able to center the ball to Velasquez who was making a run down the left side. The Hacienda Heights native collected the ball and slotted it past the 'Eaters keeper, and the Highlanders poured onto the field to celebrate.
"I think like everybody else in the stadium, I thought the ball was going out," said UC Riverside second-year Head Coach Nat Gonzalez. "But 'Dre did a great job of keeping it in play, and Kelly did a great job not giving up on the run."
The teams played scoreless soccer in the first half, but the Anteaters broke through in the 57th minute thanks to a UC Riverside foul just outside their box. Mady Solos struck the subsequent free kick over the UCR wall, to put UC Irvine up 1-0. The Anteaters had not lost a match in which they had the lead the entire season.
The Highlanders scored the equalizer with 17:46 remaining in regulation when the Irvine keeper was called for a penalty in the box as she took out a UC Riverside player on a break away. Danielle Giltner converted the penalty kick to tie the score.
The Anteaters continued to press the issue, out-shooting the Highlanders 16-5 on the night, but Velasquez connected on the shot that counted keeping UC Riverside's season alive.
UCR is making its first appearance in the Big West Conference Tournament since 2005 when the Highlanders also advanced to the title match. They lost that game to Cal State Fullerton, but still received an at large bid to the NCAA Tournament where they fell to Colorado in penalty kicks.
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