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Soccer girls clinch victory over Utah Valley State in overtime
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The fans were screaming and the coaches were jumping for joy
from the sidelines as the Broncos rushed the field. The team hugged
and embraced each other in the excitement of victory. No, it
wasn’t the football team. Not even the volleyball team. It
was Boise State women’s soccer beating Utah Valley State with
a 3-2 overtime score in the most exciting game the Broncos have
played all year.
The Broncos (5-8-1, 1-1-0 WAC) defeated Utah Valley State
(5-3-1) on Friday in front of a loyal 233 fans. Boise State put on
a clinic of how to push through when the pressure is on and of how
to perform in a clutch. The team gave it everything they had, and
walked away victorious.
The story of the game was not domination, as neither claimed
control of the game in regulation. The first goal didn’t come
until the 20th minute, when senior team captain Brittany Zoellner
stepped up. Zoellner was able to fire a shot into the back of the
net off a free kick from senior Abby Bernards, and a header from
another senior, Abbe Roche.
But Utah Valley did not sit idly by. They came back with a fury,
letting loose their star forward Megan Dickerson. She added two
consecutive goals in the 36 and 62 minutes, which left the Broncos
down one goal with time running out in regulation.
In a desperate attempt to tie the score, junior Megan McCoy
checked into the game for offensive pressure. With less than one
minute left on the clock, the tables turned for the struggling
Broncos.
In minute 89, McCoy laid a perfect ball to freshman midfielder
Brennan Erickson. Erickson sent the ball sailing to the left, past
the outstretched arms of Utah Valley’s keeper, Amberlee
Nelson. Less than one minute was left in the grudge match. Time
expired with both teams tied at two, sending the teams into
overtime.
It didn’t take long for Boise State to take over the game,
as momentum had clearly shifted to the side of the blue and orange.
In the third minute of overtime play, Erickson unleashed a rocket
of a shot, forcing Nelson to dive for a miraculous stop. However,
Nelson couldn’t keep control of the ball. It bounced off the
keeper’s hands, directly to the well-anticipating Zoellner,
who tapped in the game-winning goal. The score increased her school
record of goals to 30 and points to 69.
The Broncos poured onto the field, overrun by emotions, as if
the team had won the conference tournament, or better yet –
the NCAA Championships.
Senior Brittany Zoellner said the victory was huge for the
team’s morale.
“It creates great momentum for the team to come from
behind and win. We haven’t done that yet so far this season.
This is the best start we’ve had in a long time and we can
only get better,” Zoellner said.
Head Coach Steve Lucas was happy with the win, but always
looking for things to improve upon.
“We woke up and showed some character today,” Lucas
said.
Lucas also said he’s proud of the squad for stringing two
wins together and gaining momentum for the rest of conference
play.
The Bronco’s travel to Tulsa and Rice this weekend but
return for two homes games on Oct. 24 at 4 p.m. vs. UTEP, and Oct.
26 at 1 p.m. vs. SMU.
Abby Vaughan
Special to The Arbiter
