One yr after it was the Large 12’s finest, Texas has a shot at SEC soccer supremacy.
Senior defender Lauren Lapomarda scored within the second time beyond regulation session to elevate Texas to a 2-1 upset of Arkansas on the Southeastern Convention’s soccer event on Thursday night time. With the victory, Texas (15-3-2) advances to play South Carolina (10-2-7) in Sunday’s championship match.
Final yr, Texas gained the championship on the Large 12 event.
Texas started taking part in soccer in 1994 and has gained back-to-back championships as soon as in its historical past. The Longhorns have been topped by the Large 12 in 2006 and 2007.
After ending in third place within the SEC standings this fall, the Longhorns will now go for a championship of their SEC debut. Texas head coach Angela Kelly led Tennessee to championships on the SEC event in 2002, 2003, 2005 and 2008.
“It’s not a straightforward event to win,” Kelly mentioned in a press launch issued by Texas. “It’s a grind as we noticed tonight. All of the groups listed here are implausible. South Carolina had an amazing semifinal towards Mississippi State. They didn’t log as many minutes as we did, however I’m excited that we get a double day to get better. And anytime you play in a Closing, you’re at all times going to rise up for it. I really feel lucky to be on this spot and really feel actually lucky to signify The College of Texas with this squad. It’s a particular group.”
Because it has since September, Texas performed on Thursday with out senior ahead Trinity Byars. It was introduced earlier than UT’s semifinal showdown towards Arkansas that Byars, who suffered a season-ending knee damage in September, has signed a three-year contract to play professionally with San Diego Wave FC of the Nationwide Ladies’s Soccer League. In accordance with ESPN, Byars is the primary NCAA athlete to signal immediately with an NWSL franchise since that league not too long ago eradicated its draft.
Byars is the second-leading objective scorer within the historical past of the Texas soccer program.