Kansas State, for the first time in program history, sealed its ticket to the Big 12 tournament, even with the Wildcats’ loss to West Virginia.
With a Baylor loss to Oklahoma State, the Wildcats were able to clinch a spot in the tournament based on point totals in the standings.
K-State finishes its regular season campaign with a 6-9-3 record after a 1-0 loss against West Virginia.
Driven with tournament aspirations, K-State displayed hustle early in the match. The Wildcats played the first half fast with high energy and vigor, limiting the West Virginia offense with strong defensive play.
West Virginia would do the same throughout the first half. As K-State advanced the ball into West Virginia territory, the Mountaineer defense fended them off.
The half ended scoreless, with quick back-and-forth possessions and six collective total shots: two from K-State and four from West Virginia.
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K-State struggled for possession in the opening stages of the second half, with the Mountaineers showing out with strong possessions.
The Wildcats would face a terrible sequence of events starting in the 72nd minute of play. A yellow card was given to defender Jazmin Brown followed by a West Virginia score off a free kick from a handball penalty on K-State. In the 73rd minute of play, defender Julianne Vallerand shot the ball into the back right of the net, scoring the only goal of the night.
The final regular season game offered a bittersweet conclusion. Although the Mountaineers outshot K-State in the second half, excitement ensued, with a trip to the Big 12 tournament overshadowing the loss. K-State will have its first game against top-seeded Texas in the quarterfinals at 11 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 30, in Round Rock, Texas.
