The underdog University of Lynchburg women’s soccer team will make its first-ever appearance in the NCAA Division III Tournament’s Final Four after advancing on penalty kicks over host Trinity University in the Elite Eight in San Antonio, Texas.
The game was knotted 1-1 after two overtime periods and the contest will remain a tie in the record books, but the Hornets won the penalty kick shootout 4-2 to advance.
Trinity’s Abigail Loar opened the scoring after a corner kick at the 13:26 mark of the first half, assisted by Jordan Azar. Hornet goalie Anna Wright (Ashland, VA/Patrick Henry) was injured on the play, replaced for the remainder of the game by freshman Audrey Moore (Clifton, VA/Centreville), who had seen just 90 minutes in goal all season.
Senior midfielder Ashley Hoath (Alexandria, VA/Mount Vernon) tied the score at one at 36:17 with an unassisted goal, and neither team could get on the scoreboard through the remainder of regulation or either 10-minute overtime period.
Trinity took a 1-0 edge in the penalty-kick shootout, but after that it was all Hornets. Amy Krause (Chesapeake, VA/Great Bridge), Dani Crotty (Mason, OH/Mason) and Katie Santos (Cheltenham, MD/Bishop Ireton) all converted their chances, and Moore made two saves, setting up Brittany Klippstein (Springfield, VA/West Springfield) to score and send LC into the Final Four via the 4-2 PK victory.
The Hornets will return to San Antonio in two weekends to face Washington-St. Louis Friday, Dec. 4 at a time to be determined. The College of New Jersey and Messiah College (PA) will do battle in the other Final Four match-up, with the title game set for 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 5.
