LEXINGTON, Ky. (Aug. 27, 2017) – Cowgirl soccer fell to the Kentucky Wildcats on Sunday, 2-1, in double overtime at the Bell Soccer Complex in Lexington, Ky. Sophomore midfielder Brooklynn Mooney scored the goal that forced overtime but Kentucky found the game-winner in the 102nd minute.

Wyoming (1-2-0) trailed for much of the game after Kentucky capitalized on a penalty kick in the 27th minute. Freshman midfielder Yuuka Kurosaki netted the goal after Wyoming was called for a foul inside the 18-yard box.

Kentucky (2-2-0) maintained its lead through halftime and most of the second half. In the 78th minute, Mooney intercepted an attempted clear, turned her defender and fired an arcing shot with her left foot. The ball floated over the arms of sophomore goalkeeper Evangeline Soucie to draw the game level. After 90 minutes, the game remained tied at 1-1.

Both teams saw chances to close the game out in the first overtime period, but neither could connect forcing a second extra frame. Just over a minute in, senior forward Tanya Samarzich settled a pass at the top of the box, took a touch and poked it past senior goalkeeper Georgia Rowntree with the outside of her right foot. The ball rolled across the goal line for the game-winner in the 102nd minute.

“It’s frustrating being right there competing with tough teams, but not getting the results we want,” head coach Pete Cuadrado said. “Obviously we’re pleased that we played close games against teams like Kentucky and Baylor, but at the end of the day a loss is a loss. Games like this are still good preparation for conference play and help us toward our goal which is still a Mountain West Championship.”

Both of Wyoming’s losses this season have come in overtime games, but Sunday’s was the first double-overtime game for the Cowgirls since tying with San Diego State on Oct. 23 of last season.

The Cowgirls recorded 11 shots, the most this season, putting five on frame. Mooney and senior midfielder Summer Halle accounted for four of those shots on goal. Rowntree, along with senior defender Claire Parker and junior defender Taylor Burton, played all 102 minutes of the contest. Burton and Rowntree have played every minute thus far this season. Rowntree recorded four saves on six shots on goal faced.

The Cowgirls return home for a weekend of action at the Louis S. Madrid Sports Complex beginning next Friday against UTEP. Kick-off for that game is slated for 4:30 p.m. MT, followed by McNeese State on Sunday set to start at 1 p.m. 

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