DANVILLE, Ky. - The University of the South women's soccer team played a strong defense for 110 minutes to end in a 0-0 draw, but the Tigers netted each of their penalty kicks to knock off the top-seed Colonels of Centre College and advance to the 2021 Southern Athletic Association (SAA) Women's Soccer Tournament Championship for the first time in program history, Friday night from Amend Field.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Final Score: [4] Sewanee (11-4-3) 0 (5), [1] Centre (15-1-2) 0 (3) | 110' (2OT)
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HOW IT HAPPENED
-Centre and Sewanee went back-and-forth in the early going, but late in the opening half, off a Centre corner, Cameron Zak tried to net the first goal of the game, but
Hanna Judycki came up big with the save.
-Sewanee had its chances as well. As time was running out in regulation,
Maggie O'Hare tried for a last-second shot, but it was stopped by Jonelle Barron, the Colonels keeper.
-In the extra periods, Centre posted 10 shots, while Sewanee only mustered up two in 20 minutes. Nevertheless, at the end of the second overtime, we were still scoreless.
-After 110 minutes of action, the match was forced to penalty kicks. Through three rounds, the shootout was even.
Ashlyn Richards, O'Hare and
Abbie Kleckley netted the kicks for Sewanee.
-In the fourth round,
Kate Thomson kept the perfect run alive for Sewanee, as the score was 4-3. Ashley Brangers saw her attempt go above the goal.
-The only thing standing in the way of Sewanee from advancing was a perfect strike from
Bea Richardson, and the junior did just that. The Tigers scored in all five rounds of the shootout and took down the Colonels, 5-3.
-For the match, Centre out-shot Sewanee, 27-7 in the match, but the Colonels only had six shots on goal.
-Centre entered the weekend ranked 13th in the United Soccer Coaches poll and 11th in the D3soccer.com poll. Additionally, the Colonels were ranked second in the latest NCAA Region Rankings. Sewanee is ranked 10th.
ON TO THE 'SHIP
-Sewanee will play in its first-ever tournament final in program history on Sunday. Women's soccer became a varsity sport in 1988.
-Regardless of the outcome, it will be the Tigers' best finish at a tournament in program history. Sewanee had back-to-back third place finishes in 1991 and 1992 as members of the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC).
-There will also be a new champion in the SAA for women's soccer, as Centre's streak of nine consecutive tournament championships came to an end on Friday night.
SEWANEE KEY STATISTICS
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Hanna Judycki (6-2-2) made six saves in 110 minutes as she earned the draw.
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Olivia Rhodes posted two shots on goal.
CENTRE KEY STATISTICS
-Jonelle Barron posted five saves in all 110 minutes.
-Megan Sidaway had 10 total shots, but only one was on-target.
UP NEXT
Sewanee will next take on Rhodes College, who defeated Berry in the other semifinal match, 2-1, in the championship match on Sunday.
While this is the first tournament championship match in the SAA-era for Sewanee, it will be the seventh for Rhodes. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET / 12 p.m CT from Danville, Ky.
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