Conference tournament roundup: Nov. 5

by Travis Clark

November 6, 2015

American Athletic

Down in Texas, the American Athletic Conference was full of drama during Thursday’s semifinals. No. 1 seed Connecticut fell in overtime when Vanessa Giles headed home a Kelly Latimer free kick, capping off a madhouse comeback for Cincinnati. Down 2-0 as a result of Rachel Hill and Liana Hinds goals, Danielle Rotherham and Julie Gavorski scored in the 79th and 88th minute respectively to force overtime. It cued up Giles’ heroics as the Bearcats dreams of dancing remain alive.

Cincinnati’s opponent is South Florida, which also required overtime to win against UCF. It also came from a set piece, when junior forward Leticia Skeete found the back of the net on a 102nd minute corner kick, capping a dominant day for the Bulls. Outshooting the Knights 28-9 on the night, Skeete’s second overtime winner secured progress to Sunday’s title game.

Atlantic 10

Entering the A10 tournament in Davidson, North Carolina, the winner of the conference tourney always seemed likely to be the league’s only NCAA tournament entrant.

That may not be the case after No. 1 seed George Washington lost for the first time in 13 games, dropping its quarterfinal matchup 1-0 against local rivals George Mason in the opening game. Abby Downey scored from a set piece, and now the Colonials must wait to see if their winning streak warrants an at large bid.

The margin for victory in all four games at the A10 tournament was tiny. Fordham found its way past VCU thanks to freshman midfielder Brooke Salmon’s 15th minute goal.

MORE: Women's College Scoreboard

Heartbreak of the day came in the Dayton-Duquesne matchup. Powered by the high-scoring of Nicole Waters and Ashley Campbell, the Flyers could only must a 1-1 draw despite outshooting Duquesne 37-10. But Katie O’Connor opened the scoring for the Dukes in the 17th minute, and the Flyers could only must Campbell’s equalizer early in the second half. When it went to PKs, Duquesne triumphed by a 3-2 score.

La Salle made it three straight A10 semifinal appearances, winning the final game of the day 2-1 against city rivals Saint Joseph's. The Hawks actually took the lead in the 12th minute through Dakota Mills. It wouldn’t last long however, as Explorer forward Marykate Bateman helped trigger the comeback, tying the game two minutes after Mills’ goal, and then setting up the 69th minute winner scored by Madison Bower.

Big West

Bubble watch is alive and well in the Big West, as Cal State Fullerton and Long Beach State will meet in the conference tournament final for the second year in a row.

Christina Burkenroad provided the heroics for Fullerton, which used its offensive firepower to overturn a 2-1 deficit against UC Santa Barbara. Burkenroad opened the scoring in the 11th minute before Amanda Ball and Sydney Magnin scored for the Gauchos before the half. Burkenroad sprang to life in the second half, adding goals in the 48th and 64th minute to re-take the lead. Connie Caliz tacked on a 76th minute insurance goal to make it a 4-2 final.

Long Beach State edged a tight encounter against UC Riverside when Fatmata Kamara tallied in the 99th minute to secure a spot in the final.

Related Topics: American Athletic, Atlantic 10, Big West, Pacific 12, SEC