by staff–17 Aug ’18
Behind four second half goals, the Wyoming women’s soccer team (1-0-0 overall) overcame a 2-0 deficit to defeat the South Dakota Coyotes (0-1-0 overall), by a 4-2 score, on Thursday afternoon at the First Bank and Trust Soccer Complex.
South Dakota had an early scoring chance by Amanda Caprio which was scooped up by junior goalkeeper Cristina Salazar. In the 12th minute, a long ball shot down the left sideline by Tayler Kalas connected with a streaking Caprio who found the back of the net. Wyoming had its first real opportunity with a shot by senior Jessie Gentle which was blocked and the put back chance by senior Morgan McDougal went wide right.
Wyoming had two opportunities to begin the second half with two shots on goal by freshman Sekoya Romero. The Coyotes increased the lead by two goals with a shot from the box by Tiannah Moore with 50:19 on the clock. The Cowgirls responded just 33 seconds later. Junior Summer Taube sent a long shot in from the top of the box which was blocked by Parker Rytz. Freshman Amber Vokoun punched in the ball off the rebound for the first goal of her career to make it a 2-1 contest. Wyoming would score the equalizer as a pass from freshman Savannah Warner hit senior Annika Clayton at the top of the box and the shot hit the back of the net. Two minutes later a scrum in front of the net led to a goal from senior Brittney Stark to put the Cowgirls ahead for the first time this season, 3-2. The scoring would be capped off during the 65th minute with Clayton scoring her second goal of the game.
“I thought it was a great response from our team in the second half,” head coach Pete Cuadrado said. “There was a lot of resiliency especially with such a young group on the field. We stepped up to the physical play in the final 45 minutes and did a better job managing that. It shows there is no such thing as an easy result but it was great the way we came back. We made some adjustments at the half and really happy with the team.”
The Cowgirls outshot South Dakota 15-7, including 10-3 in the second half. Wyoming put ten shots on goal compared five by the Coyotes and recorded five corner kicks. For Clayton, it was her sixth goal of her career and the first time since Alisha Bass against Colorado State (10/27/17) recorded two goals in the game.
Wyoming will host its home-opener is Sunday, August 19 against the Utah Valley Wolverines. Kick-off is set for 1 p.m. MT. in the Louis S. Madrid Sports Complex.
