(Story courtesy of Trinity University Sports Information Department)
SAN ANTONIO, Texas -- The No. 6/9 Tiger women's soccer team advanced to the Second Round of the NCAA Playoffs after winning a penalty kick shootout against Pomona-Pitzer Colleges on Saturday evening.
Trinity and Pomona played to a 1-1 draw through regulation, then neither team scored during to the two 10-minute overtime periods. That sent the game to a shootout to determine which team would move on in the NCAA Tournament.
Lauryn Lewis recorded three saves during the PK shootout to push Trinity through to the next round. She also had four saves during the game, facing 21 total shots that included 12 attempts against the Tigers in the second half alone.
Trinity advances to face Pacific Lutheran University in the second round, following the Lutes taking a 2-1 win over the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in the second game of this weekend's events at Trinity's Paul McGinlay Field. The NCAA Second Round game will be tomorrow at 7:00 p.m.
The Rundown
The Tigers controlled the action early, taking the first four shots of the game that included two shots on goal in the first 14 minutes. Pomona-Pitzer got in on the action by taking four of the next five shots over the final 30 minutes of the period, but the teams were locked in a scoreless tie at halftime.
Michaela Bosco got Trinity started quickly in the second half, firing off an on-target shot in the 47th minute. That save led to a quick counterattack by Pomona, who scored the game's first goal less than 30 seconds later.
As quickly as Pomona scored on the counter, Trinity was even faster on the restart after the goal. The Tigers pushed the ball forward quickly, but the Sagehens got possession and moved towards midfield. Defender Ilsa Newland came forward and stole the ball away, then found space toward the end line. She drove down the right side and around a defender, crossing it in towards Molly Sheridan just inside the six-yard box. With a defender on her back, Sheridan had to play it back as she was surrounded by a pair of defenders. Alana Wickham raced onto the ball and sliced her shot past three defenders and a diving goalkeeper for the game-tying score. Pomona held the lead for just 34 seconds before the Tigers tied the game up again.
Pomona out-shot Trinity 12-5 in the second half and 5-0 in the two overtime periods, as Lewis notched all four of her saves over that 65-minute stretch. The Sagehens were unable to find the go-ahead goal against Lewis and the game went to kicks.
Bosco and Sheridan both converted penalties, as did Reese Wallace to account for Trinity's three successful shootout attempts. Lewis saved the first and third to give Trinity a 2-1 lead, then saved the final shot to clinch for the Tigers.
Numbers to Note
Wickham's goal was her third of the season, pushing her into double digit points for the season. She joins five other Trinity players in double figures.
The four saves by Lewis were a season-high, increasing her total to 17 stops this season.
Up Next
The Tigers take on Pacific Lutheran University in the NCAA Second Round on Sunday night at 7:00 p.m. The winner advances to next weekend's NCAA Sectionals at a site to be determined.
