Texas soccer wins first SEC championship for Longhorns athletic program

A late objective by defender Carly Montgomery and even later heroics by keeper Mia Justus lifted the crew to a 1-0 win over South Carolina on Sunday for the college’s first SEC championship.

Montgomery headed residence a cross from within the 79th minute for the one objective within the SEC Event remaining in Pensacola, Fla. That objective proved sufficient for Justus and the Longhorns’ protection, which allowed just one objective in three matches on the event.

Justus ended the championship match with seven saves, together with a diving cease of Corinna Zullo’s header within the 82nd minute. Texas survived one other near-miss moments later when Cat Barry launched a shot from about 20 ft out that glanced off the publish.

Texas (16-3-2), which completed third within the , has received back-to-back convention event titles for the primary time since 2006 and 2007 and has captured three convention event titles up to now 4 years. Final season, the Longhorns topped BYU of their remaining Massive 12 match.

Texas coach Angela Kelly received her fifth SEC Event title and her seventh convention championship. Earlier than she took over the Longhorns’ program in 2012, she led Tennessee to SEC Event titles in 2002, 2003, 2005 and 2008.

With the win, Texas secured the SEC’s computerized NCAA Event bid. The Longhorns will discover out their seeding destiny Monday and can open event play later this week. The primary spherical of the NCAA Event will happen Friday-Sunday at choose campus websites.

Earlier than Sunday’s title match, the No. 21 Longhorns had climbed to No. 18 within the NCAA’s RPI rankings. There’s an opportunity they are going to acquire a couple of spots and surpass No. 13 South Carolina, which might strengthen their declare to internet hosting a first-round matchup.

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