In all but one contest, the higher seeds in Wednesday’s Big 12 quarterfinal matches advanced on to Friday’s semifinals. While higher seeds typically won, the contests were competitive, as the only one of those matches was decided by more than a goal and two couldn’t be decided in regulation. Here’s a quick recap of yesterday’s action.
Oklahoma State dispatches Oklahoma, 2-1
No. 1 seed @CowgirlFC takes Bedlam round 3 and moves on to Friday’s semifinals! ?
Highlights ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/RdAk25OPaW
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) November 1, 2017
Senior Anna Beffer assisted both of the Cowgirls’ goals on the afternoon as Oklahoma State bested in-state rivals Oklahoma for the third time this season. The first goal came in the 23rd minute when Beffer played a ball into Haley Woodward from just outside the box. The Sooners looked for an offsides flag, but none was forthcoming. With plenty of space, Woodward easily slotted the ball home. The Cowgirls added an insurance goal in the 36th minute when Coumba Sow headed in a corner kick taken by Beffer.
The Sooners made things interesting with a tally soon after the second half whistle. Despite taking three times as many shots in the second half than in the first, Oklahoma was unable to find another. The loss concludes Oklahoma’s season. Oklahoma State, the No. 1 seed in the tournament, advances to face Baylor.
Baylor defeats Texas in overtime
Overtime winner! ? ?@BaylorFutbol defeats Texas to advance to the semis. #Big12SOC pic.twitter.com/gEfyJvcaWl
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) November 1, 2017
For the second time this year, a Baylor vs Texas match needed overtime to decide a winner. Unlike the regular season, the Bears emerged victorious in exciting fashion. With two minutes remaining in the contest, Baylor’s Lauren Piercy scored to level the game at one. The sequence that led to the equalizer started when Sarah King sent a long ball into the center of the box that Piercy was well positioned to knock in. Baylor subsequently won the contest in the eighth minute of overtime when Julie James tallied the golden goal on a give-and-go with Aline De Lima.
The Longhorns’ lone goal in the contest came in the 73rd minute when Haley Berg slipped a pass in behind the defense that Katie Glenn then finished far post for the score. Both teams finished the contest with 17 shots, but Baylor outpaced Texas in shots on goal (9-6). Baylor will face the Cowgirls in the next round of the tournament.
Trio of seniors lead West Virginia over Texas Tech
ICYMI, the defending champions took care of business ?@wvuwomenssoccer moves on to the semifinals after a 3-1 win over Texas Tech.
? ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/QyAMyxSyFz
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) November 2, 2017
The Mountaineers defeated the Red Raiders off three goals scored by three different seniors Wednesday night. West Virginia’s Alli Magaletta opened the scoring in the 16th minute of play. The midfielder headed in fellow senior Carla Portillo’s well-taken corner kick. Despite the Mountaineers dominating the run of play in the half, Texas Tech managed to draw even 12 minutes later. Mary Heiberger was able to complete a half-turn in front of goal and convert after a corner kick was headed down by another Red Raider.
The Mountaineers retook the lead, this time for good, midway through the second half. Heather Kaleiohi beat two defenders and then quickly fired off a shot in traffic for the game-winner. Michaela Abam added an insurance goal to West Virginia’s cause. Abam rocketed a shot from just outside the box into the upper 90. The Mountaineers will now face the Jayhawks in the semifinals Friday.
TCU advances on penalties over Kansas
What a match! ⚽️ ? @TCUSoccer defeats Kansas on PKs to advance to the semifinals where they’ll take on @wvuwomenssoccer on Friday. pic.twitter.com/8RKJBucQq8
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) November 2, 2017
Kansas took the lead in the 68th minute when Katie McClure scored directly off a free kick from just outside the penalty area. McClure fired a right footed shot into the back of the net. TCU’s Katie Lund got a hand to the ball but didn’t get enough on it to redirect it out of the way.
After several chances hit off of the woodwork or were cleared off the line in the second half, the Horned Frogs leveled the score with 11 minutes remaining. Jayhawks keeper Maddie Dobyns attempted to punch away Emma Heckendorn’s corner kick, but the attempt found Kayla Hill’s head. Hill’s header bounced off the crossbar and in.
Despite TCU having a couple of promising moments in overtime, including a shot that hit off the crossbar, the score would remain 1-1 through 110 minutes. The Horned Frogs would ultimately be victorious converting all four penalties taken. The Jayhawks converted only two with star Grace Hagan’s attempt being saved by Lund and Kayla Morrison’s hit off the crossbar. TCU advances to the face West Virginia in a rematch of last season conference title match on Friday.
