Posted on: Sunday, November 7, 2004
SMU beats Tulsa; plays Rice for title
By Leila Wai
Advertiser Staff Writer
The Southern Methodist University women's soccer team finished what it started Friday night, defeating Tulsa, 1-0, in a Western Athletic Conference semifinal match yesterday at the University of Hawai'i practice soccer field.
The winner of the WAC tournament earns an automatic berth into the NCAA tournament. All college matches must be completed by 11 a.m. Hawai'i time because the tournament selection committee meets today to decide the tournament's field.
Rice, which managed to play Friday before the rains hit, defeated No. 3 UTEP, 2-1, in the other semifinal match.
WHO: Southern Methodist (14-3-3) vs. Rice (14-3-3)
WHERE: University of Hawai'i practice soccer field (across from the baseball stadium) WHEN: Today at 8 a.m. ADMISSION: Free PARKING: Free All four semifinalists are exiting the WAC next season to move to Conference USA.
"I'm sad I'm not going to be able to come home and play in front of my family and friends anymore," SMU sophomore Adria Campbell, a Punahou graduate out of Kailua, said.
Friday's match between SMU and No. 5 Tulsa (7-10-4) called after 8 minutes, 49 seconds because of heavy rains and unplayable conditions, but was replayed yesterday on a hot, sunny day with clear skies.
"It never rains that hard," said Campbell, the 2003 Advertiser State Player of the Year. "One day it is raining, and then it changes to extreme heat."
Campbell, who started the match at center halfback, was moved up to play all three forward positions and right halfback toward the end of the game. She finished with one shot on goal. On Wednesday she was selected to the all-WAC first team as a midfielder.
Host Hawai'i was eliminated in the tournament's first round by Tulsa on Thursday night.
Reach Leila Wai at lwai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2457.
The top-seeded Mustangs (14-3-3) face No. 2 Rice (14-3-3) today in a rematch of last year's WAC Championship, at 8 a.m. at UH. Parking and admission are free.
Adria Campbell
SMU sophomore forward Olivia O'Rear scored the lone goal of the game in the 55th minute on a long dribble down the right sideline and then along the endline, shooting the ball into the goal at a sharp angle between Tulsa goalkeeper Pam Devore and the near goalpost.
WAC CHAMPIONSHIP
