LARAMIE, Wyo. (Oct. 21, 2018) – A goal in the 99^th minute of the first overtime by sophomore Madison Barrick helped the Cowgirl soccer team (11-3-4 overall, 6-2-2 MW) to a 2-1 victory over the UNLV Rebels (10-6-3, 4-4-2 MW) on Sunday afternoon. The 11 wins ties for second most in school history and the six league wins is the most since the 2016 season.

“We started fast, but it was tough not to get a goal in the first half. I thought we played really well and deserved to have one go in,” head coach Pete Cuadrado said. “It was one of our better performances and we played a full game from start to finish. Obviously, it was a tough call at the end with three minutes left. To give up the goal and to see the response from the team to keep playing. It was a great game.”

Both teams got shots off early to begin the game. Senior Annika Clayton had her shot blocked while Caitlyn Kreutz shot was saved by goalie Cristina Salazar. Over the next twenty minutes, the Cowgirls were the aggressor and outshot the Rebels 3-1 with no results. At the 40 minute mark, Barrick played in the ball from right outside the box and connected to make it 1-0. It was the third goal of the season for Barrick. Freshman Adalyn Vergara had the assist.

The Cowgirls continued to push the pace out of the break and recorded six shots in the first 20 minutes but came up empty handed. UNLV finally had a chance in the 70^th minute but a shot by Michaela Morris went wide. Senior Brittney Stark had another opportunity with 76:04 on the clock. Her shot would hit the post. Late in the game, a foul on the Cowgirls would give the Rebels a penalty kick. Kaila Brinkman would push it past goalie Hannah Lee to score the equalizer. Despite outshooting UNLV 7-2 in the period, UW would be forced in to overtime.

In the overtime, Wyoming had two early looks with back to back shots from Stark and Barrick, but goalkeeper Emberly Sevilla had two tremendous saves. Senior Annika Clayton also had a good look in the 97^th minute which was also saved. It looked like it was headed to a second overtime. With 98:55 on the clock, a low cross on the ground from the left by senior Morgan McDougal reached Barrick and she would shoot it in from 12 yards out to give the Cowgirls a 2-1 overtime win.

“Madi (Barrick) brings so much energy to our team and battles hard every time she gets in. You give her one or two jobs and she will it every time. She puts herself in very good spots to finish. It’s awesome because she is coming off an injury and has had to get fit through the season, which isn’t always easy.” 

Brittney Stark had a game-high five shots with one on goal followed by Barrick with three. It would be the second straight two goal game for her. Four Cowgirls logged all 99 minutes for the match. Wyoming outshot the Rebels 16-6 and had two corner kicks compared to one by UNLV. Salazar played 45 minutes and one save while Lee played in 54 minutes.

The Cowgirls will close out the regular conference season on Friday against the Colorado State Rams. The match is scheduled for 3 p.m. MT at the Louis S. Madrid.