No. 1 Women's Soccer Ties in Regulation; Falls in Semi-Finals to No. 4 Holy Family in Penalty Kicks
BRIDGEPORT, CT. - No. 1 seed Thomas Jefferson University women's soccer team (13-3-3) would keep up and have a 3-2 lead heading into the second overtime, but a Tigers goal in the second overtime would make it a 3-3 tie, where the Rams would fall to No. 4 Holy Family University 4-3 in penalty kicks in the CACC Championship Semi-Finals in Friday morning competition.
WHAT HAPPENED
It began at the 14th minute when Mia Ferrara got the ball to regroup the offense. She took a shot from 30 yards out, having Jania Preuhs just touch it but not enough to get the complete save as it fell in the net to put Jefferson up 1-0. Holy Family would answer at the 18th minute. The Tigers corner was knocked away by Liv Riddel, but Lexi Murphy composed the ball and shot right over Riddel's head, evening the score at 1-1.
Both teams would only have one shot each after the match was even, with Holy Family having the advantage in that department with five shots compared to the Ram's four. The game would head into the break at 1-1.
The second half began slow, with both teams getting a better understanding of the other squads defense. The Tigers were able to figure it out as Allison Loper kicked the corner, where Maura Kilkenny made her header to the right of the net, giving Holy Family the 2-1 lead at the 60th minute.
Jefferson would keep pushing on the offensive side to get the game tied up. After a free kick, they would answer back as Ferrara would drive to the right side and kick the ball to the center of the box, where Laken Merchant would run down and kick it to the right center of the net as she would score for the Rams and even the game once more at 2-2 in the 73rd minute.
Both teams would try to break the tie, but neither team would find the net in regulation. Devin Sullivan nearly took the lead with 5:30 left in the game, as she got a rebound from a Holy Family clear attempt. Sullivan took her shot, but it hit the top of the post, unable to get in the net.
The Rams were able to have eight shots in the second period, while the Tigers had seven in the half. Jefferson would total 14 shots in regulation while Holy Family accumulated 12.
The first overtime nearly was opportunistic for Jefferson, as Gianna Garozzo had her shot go into the net, but was nullified by an offside call. The Rams would get another opportunity at the 96th minute as Jefferson would be fouled inside the Box. Nikki Dedes would take the penalty kick for the Rams, where she would make her attempt to put Jefferson up 3-2 in the first overtime.
Holy Family would answer in 45 seconds into the second overtime as Brynn Hess drove to the right side of the field and passed it to Hooten who would have a soft touch shot that would bounce right into the goal, making the game 3-3 and tying it once more.
The second overtime wouldn't see any score for the period, with Sullivan once more attempting a shot with less than a minute to go, but Preuhs would save it and have the match go into penalty kicks.
Samantha Barkholz would take the first PK attempt, making it to the left corner and having the 1-0 advantage for Jefferson. Riddel would save Rebecca Casper's attempt. Sullivan would take her shot, but would hit the cross bar. Hooten would catch Riddel just on a quick instance and make it 1-1.
Kiery Spatz would make the right guess as she shot bottom right and have it 2-1 Jefferson. Stephanie Marion would make her shot top right over Riddel and have it even 2-2. Carly Yeager would take her shot, but Preuhs would make her save and keep it tied. Rylee Kaufmann would take her shot, with Riddel touching it but the attempt would still go in and put Holy Family up 3-2.
Trinity Blaho made her shot into the middle left to even it out 3-3. Gianna Penecale would make her shot bottom left, giving the Tigers the 4-3 PK win and would push Holy Family to the CACC Championship.
INSIDE THE BOX
Shots: Jefferson, 19-14
Shots on Goal: Holy Family 10-9
Saves: Jefferson, 7-6
Corners: Holy Family, 8-5
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Mia Ferrara: 1 goal, 1 assist, 1 shot
Laken Merchant: 1 goal, 1 shot
Nikki Dedes: 1 goal, 4 shots
Liv Riddel: 7 saves
UP NEXT
Jefferson will now await their fate to see if they make postseason action as the NCAA selection show will be on Monday, November 13 at 6:30 p.m. The NCAA will layout the field for Division II tournament play.
