Friday’s win in double overtime over Ohio State – the second round in the NCAA tournament - brought the West Virginia University women’s soccer team a step closer to a potential national championship. Today's win over UCLA - which went into two overtime periods and was ultimately determined by penalty kicks - brought them even one step closer. 

 

That’s the dream of Bridgeport's Amanda Saymon, member of the No. 1-ranked and top-seeded Mountaineer soccer team. Now among the Elite Eight, WVU has already equaled last year’s accomplishment.

 

“We just want to keep winning – and we’re building on last year and making it happen,” said Saymon, who graduated Bridgeport High School in 2015. “Last year, our schedule made it easier, but we weren’t tested as much. Having a more difficult schedule has definitely helped prepare us.”

 

This year, Penn State was added to the schedule, which has been the Mountaineers’ sole loss; one more than they had in 2015.

 

In 2016, the Lady Mountaineers have had an outstanding season, accumulating 21 wins, a tie with Penn State (and exhibition game ties with Michigan and Virginia) and a mid-season single loss to Georgetown.

 

This afternoon, WVU is on the field with No. 4-ranked, fourth-seeded UCLA, continuing the quest to advance to the finals. Being part of the top-ranked team in the nation is exciting – and it’s a lot of work, said Saymon, two-time high school first-team All-County and All-State, Player of the Year and member of the BHS 2012 state championship team and 2013 and 2014 state runner-up teams.

 

The best word to describe her current soccer experience is “intense,” she said. During the pre-season, she lifted and ran on a regular basis to get in her best possible physical shape. Since the season has begun, the workout has changed, but is still on a very regular basis.

 

“We train about two hours per day every Tuesday through Thursday and usually play Friday and Sunday,” she said. “The difference is that every practice is basically like a high school game. You have to be more focused than in high school. You’re fighting for a spot and fighting to get in the starting line-up. You have to play every day, trying to prove you deserve to be out there and I’m doing everything I can to show that I do deserve to be out there.”

 

Saymon – who proudly wears jersey no. 13, playing midfield and forward - said she continues to present her A-game, working to be on the field as much as possible.

“This year, I’ve played more than last year. I played in two Big 12 games, so I’m moving up there,” she said.

 

Being part of a No. 1-ranked team also comes along with plenty of hype. She loves the packed stands and said she and her teammates feed off that positive support, but they cannot allow all the media attention to take their focus.

 

“Coach (Nikki Izzo-Brown) handles the media and we focus on the game,” Saymon said. “We just keep our attention on what’s ahead of us. We don’t worry about the rankings. We just keep working.”

 

The daughter of George and Beth Saymon and sister to George, Saymon is a sophomore exercise physiology major and psychology minor, who is also excelling academically. During her freshman year, she was named to the Academic All-Big 12 Newcomer Team. She has also made the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll and Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll.

 

She loves where her soccer career has led her thus far and continues to play throughout college. She also loves being part of various soccer camps and working with young players. That’s particularly exciting when she encounters little Bridgeport girls, who more than likely will be following in her footsteps.

 

Follow WVU Women's Soccer on Twitter @WVUwomenssoccer.

 

FINAL: Lady Mountaineers win over UCLA with a 4-2 edge in penalty kicks after a 1-1 tie in double overtime. WVU advances to NCAA quarterfinals. 

 

UPDATE: Penalty kicks: WVU 3-UCLA 2.

 

UPDATE: Portillo shoots a good PK for WVU; UCLA follows. Double OT game score is 1-1; penalty kicks 1-1.

 

UPDATE: After two  overtime periods, the score remains tied 1-1 between WVU and UCLA. At 5 p.m., the game goes to penalty kicks for the win.

 

UPDATE: Going into the final minutes of today's game, the Lady Mountaineers lose their 1-0 lead as UCLA scores, tying up  the game which is being played at WVU's Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium. As of 4:45 p.m., the game is in second overtime. Stay tuned for updates.