Box Score FULLERTON, Calif. --- The Big West Tournament championship eluded the Anteaters once again, this time in the 107th minute in a 2-1 defeat to the UC Riverside Highlanders Thursday night at Titan Soccer Field.
UC Riverside (8-12-1, 4-4-0) worked its way up field in the second overtime period as a rebound off a blocked shot bounced to the top of the box. Kelly Velasquez hit a hard line drive past 'Eater keeper Corey Tobin and inside the left post to end the match five seconds into the 107th minute.
UCI (11-7-0, 6-2-0) held a sizable advantage throughout the match as seen from the 16-5 shot discrepancy which included seven on goal to UCR's two.
UCI had a 7-1 advantage through the first half, but the match was scoreless through 45 minutes. Senior Mady Solow broke the tie in the 57th minute as she lined up a free kick and placed in into the upper left corner for the 1-0 UCI lead.
Both squads raced back and forth throughout the remainder of the half, but UCR managed to equalize the match in the 73rd minute by converting a penalty kick. Corey Tobin came out to meet the Highlanders forward in the box and was issued a controversial yellow card as she went for the shot block. Danielle Gilner would finish inside the left post and eventually force overtime.
The 'Eaters did have countless opportunities including four shots on goal from Laura McGrail. Her headed nearly ended it in the first overtime, but Highlander keeper Elizabeth Silas made a sprawling save. Natalia Ledezma also had a prime chance in the second overtime, but her left-footed chance curling just around the far, left post.
The Anteaters are now at the mercy of the selection committee in terms of their postseason hopes. Coming into the match, UCI held an RPI ranking of 67th leaving their at-large chances slim. The RPI is similar to its 2012 standing with the difference being an 11-7 record compared to 9-8-4.
UCI and Scott Juniper did make the Big West Tournament for the sixth time in seven years, but have yet to capture one with the last coming in 1997.
Solow's goal was her second of the season, third in her career. Tobin stopped one shot in net, her record stands at 7-4-0 while she also eclipsed the 1,000-minute mark on the year.
The NCAA Selection Show will be Monday, Nov. 11 at 1:30 p.m. courtesy of NCAA.com with UCI's at-large fate to be determined.
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