WAIPAHU, Hawaii Christine McCartney's goal eight minutes into overtime gave UTEP a 3-2 victory over Fresno State in the quarterfinals of the WAC Tournament at the Waipio Peninsula Soccer Stadium Thursday night.

Cara Nordin penetrated the Bulldogs' defense and after a brief scrum, managed a soft pass to McCartney who sent the ball past FSU goalie Jeannette Paine for her fourth game-winning goal of the season. It also marks the tenth of her career, which breaks the school record previously held by Holly Cohen and Ja'net Esparza.

Third-seeded UTEP (13-4-1) advances to Friday's semifinal and will play second-seeded Rice (13-3-3) at 8 p.m. MST.

"This was a team that showed a lot of character tonight," head coach Kevin Cross said. "They had to battle back twice in a game that was the most physical game we have ever played probably in UTEP soccer history. We were getting beat up pretty hard all game long."

FSU (5-9-4) got a 1-0 lead at the 40:54 mark when Kortney Lewis converted on a penalty kick following a UTEP foul in the penalty box.

UTEP tied it 54 seconds later with a goal by Nordin on a pass from Kristin Wernimont.

The Bulldogs regained a goal advantage when Antonea Lugo scored on a pass from Mary Trigg in the 54th minute.

Again, UTEP wasted little time making it a tie game.

Just three minutes later, Kia Sams found an open Jami Tullius who scored her team-leading tenth goal of the season.

FSU held a slim 7-6 edge in shots on goal and out-fouled UTEP 20-10 in a game that was played on a wet field as a result of rain throughout the first half.