SMU women’s soccer team accomplished something it hasn’t done in 10 years on Saturday against University of Texas El Paso. They captured the 2002 WAC Women’s Soccer Tournament Title and earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament

The Mustangs defeated UTEP 3-1. This is the team’s fifth straight win, making its record 12-5-4 while UTEP falls to 16-3.

UTEP attacked early when Amber Mack scored on a shot from six yards out. The Miners held the lead at 1-0 going into halftime but SMU tied the game at 1-1 when senior forward Tara Comfort scored on a breakaway.

UTEP was forced to play one player short for nearly 40 minutes when Kate Stevens received a red card and was ejected from the game. Junior Lauren Mussallem gave SMU the lead on another breakaway goal and Sophomore Jill Heinemann kept the lead by connecting on a penalty kick.

SMU sophomore goalkeeper Erin McLeod recorded seven saves while UTEP’s goalie Kyla Clark made two saves. Representing SMU on the WAC All-Tournament team is Jill Heinemann, Kim Harvey and Diana Kelm.

The team will face the University of Texas in the first round of the 2002 WAC Tournament. The Longhorns are 15-4-1. The game is on Nov. 15, in College Station, Texas. The time of the match is not yet determined.