(Story courtesy of Trinity University)
SAN ANTONIO, Texas - Trinity's women's soccer team was eliminated in the Second Round of the NCAA Playoffs on Sunday afternoon, as Hardin-Simmons advanced 7-6 on penalty kicks. Box Score
The Tigers and Cowgirls played to a 2-2 tie in regulation, then neither team could find the back of the net in two overtime periods. Hardin-Simmons advances to the Third Round of the postseason.
Trinity and Hardin-Simmons have met 10 times in the NCAA PLayoffs since the 1999 season, with each team earning four wins to go with two draws. It marks the second time the teams have decided a postseason game on penalty kicks, with Hardin-Simmons advancing both times.
Hardin-Simmons took a 1-0 lead by halftime, scoring in the 25th minute of play. The two teams combined for 21 shots in the first half, with eight of those being on goal. Cowgirls goalkeeper Lexi Stinson recorded five saves in that period, and 10 total saves in the game. Trinity's Katie Garrett had five total saves - including three in the second half.
Trinity came out on fire in the second half, as Shelby Guenthardt scored less than a minute into the period. Emily Donnan's header was saved but not controlled by Stinson, and Guenthardt pushed the ball into the empty net.
Just over six minutes later, Kelsey Falcone launched a long-range shot that was also saved by Stinson, but again, Guenthardt found the loose ball to score her second goal of the game - putting the Tigers up 2-1. Hardin-Simmons tied the game shortly after, though, and the game remained tied the rest of the way.
Both teams buried their first penalty kicks, but after Hardin-Simmons went up 2-1, Trinity missed its next kick to fall behind. The Cowgirls then shot its next attempt high over the cross bar, and the Tigers caught up after the third round.
Garrett then saved the next Hardin-Simmons try, and Trinity took a 3-2 lead. Hardin-Simmons then made its final try, but the Tigers missed off the post to keep the game alive. Both teams made the next three penalties to make it 6-6. After the Cowgirls made their next kick, Stinson saved the final kick by the Tigers to clinch.
Trinity finishes its season with an overall record of 15-1-3, while Hardin-Simmons is now 18-0-2 on the year. Both of HSU's ties came against the Tigers.
