University of Houston
Tulane
Houston Soccer Earns Fifth Straight Trip to C-USA Tournament
11/3/2002 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Nov. 3, 2002
With a berth to the annual Conference USA Tournament hanging in the balance, freshman Kelly Golden scored the tying goal with just one second remaining in regulation and the University of Houston women's team held on for a double-overtime 1-1 tie with Tulane in the final match of the regular season to earn their fifth straight trip to the tournament on Sunday (Nov. 3) afternoon at Westfield Facility in New Orleans, La.
Golden, who has led the Cougars in total shots the entire season, got the pivotal score on her second shot-on-goal of the day with one second left on the clock to salvage the 1-1 tie with the Green Wave and force overtime.
With the tie, Houston has claimed the No. 6 seed in a field of eight Conference USA schools, and will face No. 3 East Carolina in the first round of tournament action on Wednesday, Nov. 6, at 1:30 p.m. (CT) at Transamerica Field in Charlotte, N.C.
After a scoreless first half, Tulane took a 1-0 lead in the 75th minute of play. Senior Megan Stack stripped the ball from a Houston defender and fed Brook Parker at the top of the 18-yard box. Parker took a touch before scoring past Houston goalie Erin Ferguson for a 1-0 Green Wave advantage.
Tulane nearly added a second just five minutes later, but Ferguson was equal to the task and recorded one of her five saves on the afternoon. Freshman Jessica Mendez blasted a shot from the top of the box that Ferguson managed to deflect, but only as far as Wave senior Alycia Wanat. Wanat,s follow-up attempt appeared headed for the empty net, but Ferguson got her feet to the ball and forced it wide.
Houston looked set to equalize in the 83rd minute, but Tulane goalkeeper Kristin Weegar stoned Golden on a breakaway. Golden bounced back, however, in scoring on another breakaway with one second left on the clock to force overtime.
With the Cougars content to play for a tie, the Green Wave dominated possession during the two overtime frames and held Houston without a shot. However, the Wave could not crack the Houston defense and the game ended at 1-1.
Tulane held a 16-8 edge in shots, including a 4-0 edge during the two overtime periods. The Wave also had a 3-1 edge in corner kicks. Each goalkeeper was called on to make six saves
Houston closes out the regular season with an season mark of 8-7-3, including 4-3-3 in Conference USA play.
