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UNLV Wins MWC Tournament Title For Second Consecutive Year Rebels receive automatic NCAA Tournament bid
Nov. 4, 2006 Visit the Women's Soccer Championship page for updated coverage. SALT LAKE CITY - No. 3 seed UNLV tied No. 1seed Utah, 0-0, in the championship game of the MWC Women's Soccer Tournament. The Rebels will receive the automatic bid for the second year in a row after defeating the Utes in penalty kicks, 6-5. The tournament ended with a shootout for only the second time in MWC Championship history.
"It's not all luck but you definitely need it on your side," said UNLV Head Coach Katherine Mertz. "I've been a part of the players winning PKs and a part of the coaches losing PKs, it's a tough way to get out but I'm proud of the girls. They stayed mentally focused in front of the crowd, knowing what was on their shoulders."
Senior Tanya Roberts, the tournament's MVP, made the fourth penalty kick against Utah's Ashley Mason. Roberts had a total of three shots with two of them saved by Mason.
In the match, UNLV goalkeeper Alicia Lugo was perfect in net, as she stopped all 11 of Utah's scoring opportunities. The Utes' goalkeeper Mason made four saves on the day as the Utes outshot the Rebels, 21-8.
"At the end of the day I don't think we played our best game," said Utah Head Coach Rich Manning. "It is very disappointing."
The overtime game marked the third-straight MWC Soccer Championship game in which extra time was needed to find a winner. Last year, UNLV and New Mexico played into the 96th minute to decide a winner, with UNLV advancing to the NCAA Tournament.
The NCAA Tournament pairings will be announced on Monday, Nov. 6, between 1 and 2 p.m. MT on ESPNNews. All-Tournament Team
MVP
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