(Story courtesy of Trinity University Athletics)
ABILENE, Texas – The 21st-ranked Tiger women's soccer team earned a 2-0 win over No. 19 Hardin-Simmons (TX) University in Sunday's NCAA Second Round Playoff game.
Trinity was limited to just two total shots in the opening period, while Hardin-Simmons was able to fire off 10 shots in the first 45 minutes. Both teams had one shot on goal, but the teams were locked in a scoreless tie at intermission.
The Cowgirls did hit a shot off the right post in the sixth minute, but neither team had an on-target shot in the final 20-plus minutes of the half.
Nyah Shepherd connected with Alex Walsh to break the tie with a goal at the 59:02 mark, putting Trinity in front 1-0 despite being out-shot 10-4 at the time. For Walsh, it was her first goal of the season and she became the 16th Tiger to record a goal on the year and the 10th to net a game-winner.
The Tigers earned a corner kick for Shepherd a few seconds after the restart, and Kristen Canepa fired in a goal just 89 seconds after the first to make it a 2-0 game. Shepherd finished the game with two assists to bring her team leading total to 13, while Canepa came into the year with just three career goals now has five on the season.
Trinity won the shooting battle 7-4 in the second half, and most importantly, put five of those shots on target. Hardin-Simmons was held to just one shot on goal in the second half of play.
The Tigers stand 17-3-1 after the victory, while Hardin-Simmons finishes its season with an overall record of 18-3-1.
Trinity advances to the NCAA Sectionals for the first time since 2016, which was the first season under the direction of Head Coach Dylan Harrison.
The Tigers also beat Hardin-Simmons in the NCAA Playoffs for the first time since 2011, having previously been eliminated by the Cowgirls in three of the last four postseasons. Trinity is now 5-7-2 against Hardin-Simmons in the playoffs.
Trinity will face off against Messiah (PA) College in the Round of 16 next weekend at a site to be announced by the NCAA.
