(Story courtesy of Trinity University Athletics)
ABILENE, Texas – The 21st-ranked Tiger women's soccer team opened the NCAA Playoffs with a 2-1 overtime victory over Pacific Lutheran (WA) University on Friday afternoon.
Trinity and Pacific Lutheran played to a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes, but the Tigers were able to score the game-winner just over a minute into the overtime period.
The Tigers were awarded a penalty kick just 64 seconds into extra time, but Kristen Canepa's attempt was saved and hit off the post. Abby Blackwood was there for the rebound goal just seconds later to lift Trinity to victory.
CeCe Hendricks got the scoring started in the game, putting Trinity on top 1-0 in the 16th minute. Nyah Shepherd picked up the assist as her corner kick led to the Tiger goal. That turned out to be the only shot of the first half for Trinity, while Pacific Lutheran piled up eight total shots and three on-target attempts.
Tiger goalkeeper Paige Wallace made three first-have saves to preserve the scoreless first half, including two saves in the first 7:16 of the game.
Pacific Lutheran got the equalizer just over five minutes into the second half of play, which came almost immediately after Trinity had two shots on goal that were saved by the Lutes to keep it 1-0 at the time.
The Tigers had the only on-target shot of the second period after the game was tied, and that didn't come until the 81st minute of action. The Tigers improved to 16-3-1 this season with the win, which also give Trinity a 30-17-11 overall record in the NCAA Playoffs. Today marks the fifth consecutive NCAA Tournament game that the Tigers have played in Abilene, Texas.
Hendricks and Blackwood each scored their third goals of the season in Saturday's win, while Blackwood netted her first game-winning goal this year. She is the ninth different Trinity player to record a game-winning goal in 2019. Shepherd extended her team lead with her 11th assist of the year, which is four more than her closest teammate. Wallace recorded three saves to earn the win for the Tigers, giving her 32 total saves in more than 1,700 minutes in goal.
Trinity advances to the Second Round of the NCAA Playoffs, where the Tigers will face off against the winner of Hardin-Simmons (TX) University and Southwestern (TX) University at 3:00 p.m.
