The Texas Longhorns (7-9-1, 4-3) went on the road for the last time during the 2012 regular season with high expectations and hopes for challenging West Virginia (10-3-4, 6-0-1) for the Big-12 title. In the tight race for the conference tournament’s number one seed, the two teams seemed destined to face off for the draw October 26 in the final game of conference play. However, Texas would have to first upset Baylor (13-1-4, 4-0-3) and take care of business against TCU (6-8-3, 1-4-2) before even meeting the Mountaineers to play for the regular season title.

Destiny had other plans, which included two Texas losses over the weekend, officially handing the title to West Virginia who cannot be caught in the points column. The Longhorns now hope to earn a win over the champions in their final game in order to gain momentum going into the Big-12 tournament and secure the number three seed.

The Longhorns’ short jaunt to Waco resulted in a nailbiter that went nearly 80 minutes before the dominating Baylor squad broke through. The final 10 and a half minutes saw the Bears push across a bouncing Dana Larsen shot from 30 yards out before junior midfielder Sharis Lachappelle tied the game for UT with just one and a half minutes remaining off a free kick.

"We were resilient and our seniors were leaders all night," Texas head coach Angelea Kelly said. "Sharis' goal with a 1:30 left was a product of our no quit attitude. It was a heck of a game."

Regulation ended with the home team tallying 15 shots to UT’s five, and it was the Bears that ultimately willed themselves above Texas in the Big-12 standings as Alexa Wilde scored the gamewinner in the second overtime period after heading a Larsen service past UT’s Abby Smith.

"The result obviously wasn't in our favor and wasn't what we were looking for," Kelly said. "However, the way in which the team executed and battled made me very proud."

With few substitutions in the Friday night match, the Longhorns had heavy legs two days later when they traveled to Fort Worth to play last place TCU. The Horned Frogs had not won a game in conference play, but found the goal they needed against a physically and emotionally depleted Texas squad. TCU’s 1-0 victory marked their first ever in the Big-12.

“This team needs to let go of any sort of individual pride it might have,” Kelly said. “They have to work as a unit. Unfortunately, we were humbled today. We need to come out the way we started the second half at the beginning of the game.”

TCU scored in the 18^th minute off a Kelly Johnson shot from about 18 yards out. The Longhorns couldn’t get past netminder Vittoria Arnold despite a second half increase in urgency. Texas totaled 17 shots on the match with freshman Kelsey Shimmick and Lachappelle pacing the team with four each. Shimmick played the entire match Friday and illustrates the young talent that is a part of UT’s future.

“We are still very young and youthful in our decision-making,” Kelly said. “It's all about how you respond, how you fight to gut out a win, especially after a really tough, physical loss. That's the sign of a mature, talented team - how they respond after a great victory or tough loss.”

The Horns will get another chance to respond when they face the regular season champions West Virginia at home before traveling to Blossom Soccer Stadium in San Antonio for the Big-12 Tournament Oct. 31 through Nov. 4.

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