Boise State women's soccer wins Pac-12 title on late goal
Cindy Conner scored in the 77th minute to help the Broncos beat Washington State 1-0 and share the conference crown with Utah State.
By Samantha Reed ·
Boise State women's soccer players celebrated their first Pac-12 Regular Season Championship on Thursday night at Albertsons Stadium. The Broncos defeated Washington State 1-0 to finish the conference schedule with a 6-1-1 record and 19 points. They tied Utah State for the top spot in the standings.
The game featured early pressure from the home team. Boise State recorded the first four shots on goal during the opening 27 minutes. Cindy Conner, Asia Lawyer, Sophie Schmautz, and Campbell Wilson all tested the Washington State defense before the halftime break.
Washington State struggled to create chances until the 31st minute. Boise State goalkeeper Ava de Leest stopped the Cougars' first attempt and made another save five seconds later. The score remained 0-0 at halftime despite later attempts from Wilson and Isabella Amado.
The Broncos maintained control in the second half. Washington State recorded the first two shots on goal after halftime, but the defense held firm. The match stayed scoreless until the 77th minute when Boise State finally found the net.
Madie Donovan passed the ball to Conner, who put it past the goalkeeper to give the Broncos a 1-0 lead with 13 minutes left in regulation. Conner described the moment as awesome. She said the team sticks to its identity during halftime talks to prepare for the upcoming tournament.
Coach Jim Thomas called Conner an unlikely scorer but a wonderful player all year. He said the team had to find a way to win. Thomas noted that Conner's goal won the championship and provided the storyline needed for an epic night.
Boise State tightened its defense after taking the lead. De Leest recorded one final save to finish the night with six stops and a clean sheet. The shutout preserved the victory and secured the co-championship honor for the program.
The Broncos will travel to Logan, Utah, for the Pac-12 Championship Tournament. They are the No. 2 seed in the semifinal round. Boise State will face No. 3 seed San Diego State on Wednesday, Nov. 11, at 4 p.m. MT.
