COMMERCE, Texas (Nov. 3, 2016) – The 2016 season for Texas Woman's University ended in the quarterfinals of the Lone Star Conference Tournament in a 2-2 tie with Angelo State as the Belles knocked out the Pioneers to advance to the semifinals after outscoring TWU 4-3 in penalty kicks Thursday night on Lion Soccer Field on the campus of Texas A&M-Commerce.
The fifth-seeded Pioneers (9-8-2, 5-7-1 LSC) met the scoring output of the fourth-seeded Belles (11-6-2, 7-5-0 LSC) despite being outshot 24-to-4 and amassing far fewer shots on goal, 11-to-4. Lone Star Conference Goalkeeper of the Year,
Samantha Jimenez, tied her career-high with nine saves compared to two by the Belles.
ASU began the offense early on by firing two shots within the first two minutes before Jimenez went leaping to grab a deep shot by the Belles at the five-minute mark.
Gaby Larson made her mark half a minute later by poking in a score on an assist by
Chelsea Martin and
Rachel Peters for first goal.
Larson struck again in the 60
th minute on an assist by
Hannah Schneider to give the Pioneers a 2-0 advantage. The Belles attempted to cut into the deficit five minutes later on two near ideal opportunities, but Kathleen Keoughan hit the post and then sent a shot just high.
Jimenez was whistled for a yellow card in the 73
rd minute that lead to a penalty kick for ASU. Trenadey Scott's slid the ball past Jimenez to pull within 2-1 of TWU.
With just over two minutes remaining in the contest, ASU's Shay Williams scored from 20 yards out on an assist by Lauren Perry for a 2-2 tie and advance the game into overtime.
Maddi Nolton sent a shot into the net in the 99
th minute but TWU was called for offsides to warrant another extra period. Jimenez prevented an ASU win in the 103
rd minute by slapping away a shot to conclude the contest as a 2-2 tie.
Because a team needed to advance to the semifinals of the tournament, the decision would be made by the best-of-five penalty kicks. Martin took the first ball for the Pioneers but her shot went high over the middle, however, Jimenez countered by making a diving save on ASU's first attempt.
Maddie Nolton found success in the right corner of the goal, as did the Belles in the top left corner for a tally of 1-1.
Nancy Chavez sent a hard shot off of the keeper's hand into the right side before ASU matched with a goal straight on.
Rachel Peters located the net on the left side before the Belles matched again with a score to the lower right.
Alisa Velasquez's shot was off the mark to the left, and ASU finished the contest with a low shot to the lower right of the goal.
