Utah Valley Women’s Soccer team (12-4-2) entered the WAC tournament as the No. 1 seed receiving a couple of days rest before facing No. 4 California Baptist (5-7-5) in Wednesday afternoon’s semifinal in Abilene, Texas.
Utah Valley entered the second half with a 2-0 lead looking to coast into the championship game for the third straight year but California Baptist had other plans, scoring three unanswered goals in the second half to win and move on.
The Lancers now advance to the Championship game looking for its first WAC Title in school history.
As for the Wolverines, they won’t be hoisting the trophy in Abilene, Texas for the third straight year as the No. 1 seed.
The Wolverines were very efficient in their attack scoring two goals in the first half as both Ruby Hladek and Quincy Bonds found the back of the net.
Faith Webber had a quiet night not scoring a goal the entire match ending her streak of four games in a row with at least one goal.
Webber ended the season with 18 goals leading all NCAA and WAC scorers going down in history as one of the greatest players to ever suit up at Utah Valley.
Despite the offensive spurt from the Wolverines in the first half, CBU did a great job defensively down the stretch holding Utah Valley to just 10 shots on the night.
Jayden Ramierz scored and assisted on all three of the Lancers goals in the second half helping Kaylee Hauck score the game-winning goal for the in the 88th minute that sealed the deal for the Lancers.
Within the first 15 minutes of the game, Utah Valley found the back of the net as Ruby Hladek made a move towards the top of the box and zipped a ball perfectly top right of the goal grabbing an early 1-0 lead.
CBU was able to create some chances on goal from the counter-attack but UVU played the back line very well denying any shots on goal from the Lancers.
After an inbounds pass in the 36th, Greta Davis sent a high lob into the box finding Bonds who was in perfect position for a header, giving Utah Valley a 2-0 lead going into the half.
Webber’s first chance of the day came in the second half at the 52nd-minute mark as she broke through the teeth of the defense creating a 1-on-1 with the goalkeeper who saved her shot preserving their deficit to just two goals.
The next 30 minutes in the second half were a different story, as the Lancers controlled the majority of possession, recording seven shots on goal and scoring on three of them.
CBU answered with a lot of good looks nearing the 70th minute and eventually found the back of the net which initially was called back due to offsides but further review said otherwise as the Lancers cut into the lead with 20 minutes to go in the match.
Mikayla O’Brien recorded five saves for the Lancers in the second half which seemed to be the deciding factor.
CBU’s last two goals both came in the remaining 15 minutes of the game including the game-winner from Hauck that sent the Wolverines home.
Despite the heart-wrenching loss, Utah Valley finished its historic season with a final record of 12-5-2 with Chris Lemay at the controls.
Lemay and the Wolverines will lose key seniors, Webber and Bonds, as they begin preparations for next season.
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