Weber State University Athletics
Weber State University
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UTEP
Wildcats drop narrow battle to Miners
9/14/2014 10:55:00 PM | Women's Soccer
OGDEN, Utah – Facing a physical opponent with a decided height advantage, the Wildcats needed to stand their ground for 90 minutes.
Behind a late first-half goal and another early in the second half off a set piece, UTEP edged the Weber State University women's soccer team 2-1 on Sunday afternoon at Wildcat Soccer Field.
“We have to get tougher,” Weber State coach Tim Crompton said. “It was a physical game and we didn't respond until the second half.”
The Miners were whistled for 17 fouls in the match, nearly double the Wildcats' total of nine, using a constant physical pressure to disrupt Weber State's offensive attack.
Despite the physical nature of the play, the Wildcats started to become more assertive in the final 40 minutes of play, generating several quality chances that were saved at the last second by a strong effort from UTEP goalkeeper Sarah Dilling.
Junior central midfielder Chansi Crompton sprung free in the 54th minute coming down the left side, but Dilling made the diving save in a one-on-one situation. Redshirt freshman outside midfielder Kelsi Tatton had a solid look at the goal in the 61st minute, and senior outside midfielder Mackenzie Peck had a near one-on-one opportunity that went just wide in the 77th minute.
Weber State's breakthrough came in the 65th minute of play when sophomore forward Lana Willard was fouled by Dilling on a breakaway in the box, earning a trip to the penalty spot, where she calmly fired it into the back of the net to cut the deficit in half.
Weber State (3-4-0) wrapped up its home portion of its non-conference schedule and will head out on the road next weekend for its final two non-conference matches of 2014, heading to southern California to face Loyola Marymount (Friday) and Cal State Northridge (Sunday).
