Oct. 13, 2011

Box Score

OREM, Utah - For over 80 minutes an own goal nearly spelled doom for Utah Valley on Thursday night against Howard. But an 81st-minute equalizer by Ashley Burdett forced overtime and a Regan Clifford goal in the 105th minute gave the Wolverines a dramatic 2-1 win in double overtime.

For Clifford, it was her third goal in the last two games and for Burdett, her goal coupled with an assist on the game-winner helped move UVU to 7-6-1 overall and 2-0 in the Great West Conference. The Wolverines are an unbeaten 4-0-1 in their last five contests.

"The girls worked very hard tonight. We dug ourselves a hole in the first half but it was a very good defensive effort on our part," said head coach Brent Anderson. "We created some good scoring opportunities. We weren't quite as clinical as we need to be and it would have been nice to put a couple away earlier but Howard battled very hard. I was really impressed with them."

The own goal that gave Howard the lead came in the 26th minute following a corner kick. It was the only shot on goal for the Bison (1-11-1, 0-3) on a night when Utah Valley would finish with 25 shots including 18 on goal, both tying season highs.

Burdett's goal came following a direct kick by Lexi Dunn from 35 yards out that Howard keeper Kyra Dickinson deflected off the cross bar. Burdett followed the save with a header on goal before rebounding another save and finding the back of the net with just 9:17 to go.

After a scoreless first overtime, a goal kick from Lauren Sack past midfield found Burdett and she led Clifford, who dribbled into the box and fired past Dickinson for the game-winning goal.

"I was very proud of Ashley today and how she responded," Anderson said. "Regan was dangerous too and really everyone stepped up and performed very well tonight."

Utah Valley will now host Houston Baptist (6-7-1, 1-0-1) in Great West action on Saturday night at 7 p.m. It will be Hometown Hero night for senior Kaitlyn Thomas. Posters will be handed out prior to the game and anyone from Thomas' hometown of Orem can get in for free.