Women's Soccer Wins Fourth Big 12 Tournament Championship
For the the fourth time since joining the conference in 2012, West Virginia (14-4-3) has won the Big 12 Women’s Soccer Tournament.
The first (and decisive) goal of the match came in the 35th minute after a service from senior Sh’Nia Gordon led to an own goal. West Virginia would take a 1-0 into halftime.
The second half featured plenty of defense between the 18s and few opportunities for the Baylor Bears. The Mountaineers maintained a possession advantage and out-shot the Bears 15-to-5 with little to show for it. West Virginia did finally pick up an offensive goal in the 76th minute after a deflection led to an Amanda Saymon goal.
Nine minutes later, WVU really iced things away after a counterattack from Nadya Gill and Lauren Segalla. Gill sprinted down the side of the field and then passed the ball to Segalla at the center of the 18-yard line, leading to a successful strike in the left corner of the goal.
The Mountaineers earned the shutout by continuing to pressure the Baylor defense and staying in Bears territory during the final minutes of the match.
West Virginia has now won the Big 12 Tournament in 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2018. The championship is now the program's sixth postseason title. The Mountaineers rebounded from their worst start in program history, winning 15 out of their last 17 matches. The program has also won double-digit games for the 22nd time in its history.
Offensive Most Outstanding Player – Sh’Nia Gordon
Defensive Most Outstanding Player – Easther Mayi Kith