The Wyoming women’s soccer team (3-2-3 overall) dropped its final non-conference game with a tough 3-2 double overtime loss against South Dakota (3-5-0) on Thursday night in Gillette.

Wyoming tried to take advantage early with opportunities by redshirt freshman Jamie Tatum and freshman Maria Allen. South Dakota responded with two straight shots that were blocked. The Cowgirls had five out of the next six looks at the goal but were shut-down by goalie Emma Harkleroad. It would be a back and forth first half as it would be a 0-0 score headed in to the lockerroom after the first 45 minutes. UW outshot the Coyotes 9-7 and had three corner kicks.

In the second half, the Cowgirls continued to get chances but with no result. When it looked like the two teams might reach overtime, a goal by Kellee Willer from 12 yards out pushed past sophomore goalie Riley Furbush to make it 1-0. Taylor Cotter had the assist. Sophomore Indianna Asimus would score the equalizer with 84:32 on the clock for her four goal of the season. Less than ten seconds later, the Coyotes regained the lead with a goal by Taryn LaBree from Alexis Mitchell. With time winding down, a header by senior Michaela Stark from freshman Keelie Wortmann evened things up at two all and that’s how the final 90 minutes would end.

In the first ten minutes of the overtime, there wasn’t a lot going on either side with each team getting a look at the goal which would force a second ten minutes.  In the 105^th minute off a corner kick by USD’s Amada Carpio, Alexis Mitchell would knock the header in to give the Coyotes the 3-2 victory.

“Obviously a disappointing result. First and foremost want to thank the people of Gillette” head coach Pete Cuadrado said. “It was an unbelievable crowd. They were loud and cheering the entire game. It was an exciting game that didn’t go our way. I think the tough part for us was the amount of chances we had in the first half and didn’t finish them. We let them continue to hang around and the longer you let a team do that they will take advantage. Give credit to South Dakota, their confidence went up after getting a goal late. For us the game was decided in the first half, if we put in one or two of those opportunities it’s a completely different game. Hopefully, it’s a learning lesson that we can take headed into conference play.”

Tatum had a match-high five shots with all of them on goal in her 88 minutes of action. Asimus and Stark each had four shots along with each scoring a goal. Junior Elle Webber and sophomore Savannah Warner both logged 104 minutes. Wyoming had 18 shots compared to 14 by South Dakota.

Wyoming will begin Mountain West conference action next Friday against the San Diego State Aztecs. The match is set for 4 p.m. MT. in Laramie.   

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