If You Are Going to Own Someone, Make it a Top 10 Team

This season has been nothing short of a roller coaster for the Lady Longhorns basketball program. In their first season under Gail Goestenkors, the Lady Longhorns spent much of the year hovering right around #25 in the country. Much of this ranking probably had to do with the reputation of the former Duke women's coach, as opposed to the talent on the floor for the Horns. This became more apparent as the Longhorns stumbled to a 7-9 conference mark, rebounding late in the season to even achieve that.

The only bright spot in conference play was probably a one point loss to the top-10 Baylor Bears in Waco, followed by a 10 point win over them in the return matchup in Austin. Well the domination of the Bears has continued as the Lady Longhorns throttled the Bears 76-61 in the quarterfinals of the Big XII Tournament last night, erasing a 16 point second half deficit. Baylor must have played the second half shorthanded or something as Texas outscored the Lady Bears 52-21 in the second half.

The victory makes things interesting for the Lady Longhorns. The Horns had some work to do to keep alive any hope of the NCAA tournament, but now at 21-11 with two victories over Baylor this season, and their continued run in the Big XII Tournament, the Horns may have played themselves safely into the field of 64. Things also are shaping up for them favorably for the rest of the tournament. The #1 and #2 seeds are both gone from the tournament, and the Longhorns facing #18 Oklahoma State, who they split the season series with tonight.

The Horns have now won 5 straight games, and their late push is securing a tournament resume. But any more wins they can find along the way will only improve their seeding in the tournament. They face Oklahoma State tonight, with the winner going on to face the winner of Iowa State (Tournament #8 seed) vs. #11 Texas A&M (Tournament #4 seed).

Texas Women Win Second Consecutive Big XII Tournament Title

In a suspenseful weekend, the Texas women persevered and won their second straight Big XII Tournament Title with a 2-1 victory over #2 Texas A&M on Sunday.

The road to get there was not an easy one as Texas won in penalty shootout in two of their three matches during the tournament.

Texas won on Wednesday over #7 seed Colorado, winning 4-2 on penalties after tying 0-0 in regulation. They apparently enjoyed the suspense as they defeated #6 seed Oklahoma State on Friday, 5-3 on penalties after tying in regulation 1-1. The win put them in the championship match against tournament #1 seed, and #2 in the nation, Texas A&M.

Losing 2-0 in College Station earlier this season, Texas was able to exact some revenge, holding on to win 2-1 against the Aggies on Sunday. The match was dominated by Texas A&M, as they out shot the Longhorns 33-8, but the Longhorns got an early 1-0 lead, a minute into the match, and held on the rest of the way.

The win will most likely allow the Longhorns to host the first and second round, and possibly a third and fourth round. The NCAA brackets will be announced later this week, as the Longhorns look to build on an impressive season, an make their furthest trip in the NCAA tournament.

In a strange twist, goalkeeper Dianna Pfenniger was voted the Offensive MVP of the tournament after she got an assist in the final, and had the game winning penalty kick in both the first and second round. Kasey Moore won the Defensive MVP of the tournament, anchoring the Longhorns in defense.

Texas advances through PKs

Facing Colorado for the second time in six days, this time in the first round of Big XII Tournament, Texas was able to survive and advance over the #7 seed Buffaloes, in penalty kicks (4-2).

After defeating Colorado 4-1 a few days ago, Colorado controlled the match, forcing goalkeeper Dianna Pfenniger to make 11 saves on 22 shots, as opposed to 3 saves by the Colorado keeper on 20 shots. It was an all around great game for Pfenniger who stopped two penalty kicks and also made the game winning shot to send Texas into the next round.

Texas will move on to face the #6 seed Oklahoma State Cowgirls on Friday, after they upset the #3 seed Kansas Jayhawks 3-0. Texas lost their only meeting with Oklahoma State 1-0 in Stillwater.