Kansas City
Utah Valley
'Roos Bounce Utah Valley, Advance to WAC Title Game
11/8/2014 2:02:00 AM | Women's Soccer
(Seattle, Wash.) – Taylor Andrejewski chose a grand stage upon which to deposit the first goal of her career, pushing UMKC into its second consecutive WAC Championship match with a 1-0 victory over Utah Valley on Friday night.
The 'Roos (13-4-3) took control of the contest early, pinning the Wolverines deep in their own zone while taking four of the game's first five shots. Utah Valley goalkeeper Jessica Duffin was up the challenge, however, stamping out all four UMKC attempts on frame in the opening stanza.
Following intermission, Kansas City's pace and intensity continued to increase. The 'Roos dominated possession and relentlessly pressured UVU for the opening eight minutes of the half before finally, in the 54th minute, Andrzejewski banged home a Kara Priest cross from just beyond the six-yard box to break the scoreless tie.
"I thought it was a fantastic run from Taylor to come all of the way from left back and finish that," said head coach Chris Cissell. "We're so proud of her for scoring her first collegiate goal, and in a 1-0 win in the conference semifinal no less."
As has often been the case with this particular group, one goal would ultimately prove decisive as UMKC defenders mostly disallowed Wolverine attackers to gain any semblance of a clean look at the net -- an accomplishment made even more noteworthy given the contributions of the midfield in the absence of sophomore Emily Herndon, who was lost to an apparent head injury in the first half.
"After we lost Emily early in the game, we had several girls forced to step up and fill her role and they did so admirably," said Cissell. "She's a key player for us but we had girls rise to the occassion and prevent a drop-off."
On the number of occasions when goalkeeper Nina Tzianos was required to make a play, the first team All-WAC selection reminded everyone why she is considered the best shot-stopper in the league.
Tzianos made three saves, the most spectacular of which came in the 39th minute when UVU forward Calli Suesue hammered a frozen rope that appeared as though it would duck just beneath the cross bar. Tzianos had other plans, however, soaring to the top of the frame to snare what would prove to be the Wolverines' best chance of the evening.
"Nina proved again tonight why she's the first team all-conference goalkeeper with her eighth shutout of the season," said Cissell. "She's playing at an unbelievably high level this season."
Tzianos entered the match ranked ninth in the nation in save percentage and 31st in goals against average, and the junior from St. Louis, Mo., improved upon both numbers.
The 'Roos set yet another program mark, as well, on Friday, notching their 13th win of the season. Thirteen wins surpasses last season's total of 12 as the highest single-season victory total in school history. UMKC has now won 10 of its last 12 contests after avenging the lone blemish over that span by ending Utah Valley's season.
"We're so proud of our team to advance to this game for the second year in a row," said Cissell. "We're proud of the fact that we've once again broken the program wins record. The girls really stepped up and competed hard."
Kansas City will once again face top-seeded Seattle for the WAC crown and an automatic NCAA Tournament berth on Sunday afternoon. Kick-off is slated for 3 p.m. (CST) and live coverage will be available on the WAC Digital Network.
