DENTON, Texas (Nov. 1, 2018) – Junior Hannah Schneider saw the MSU Texas goalkeeper off her line after a Mustang defender tried to clear the ball, and as the ball rolled to her, she sent Texas Woman's into the semifinals of the Lone Star Conference tournament by rocketing a 20-yard shot into the upper left corner of the goal for the 1-0 game winner at 100:11 in double overtime.   

"The ball came to me and I just knew I had to take the shot," Schneider said.  "I saw where their keeper was and knew that I had to get the ball up. Coach has said at the start of the second overtime that we needed to pound their back line."

In addition to scoring her third goal of the season, Schneider took the most shots of any player in the game with seven, three of those on goal, in 84 minutes of play. 

"Hannah's clutch," Head coach Babak Abouzar said. "Her experience has brought her a long way. She's definitely the type of player you want on your team because whether she's playing one minute or ninety minutes, she's giving you everything."

This was the third meeting between the No. 3 seed Pioneers (11-5-3) and the No. 6 seed Mustangs (2-13-3) this season and the second in a row. The two previous clashes ended in ties, and in postseason play, there was going to be a winner today.

"It's a double-edged sword, playing the same team again," Abouzar said. "It's good in the sense that their play is fresh in our minds. We didn't have to do much of a scouting report. We know what they're capable of and their strengths and weaknesses. But then at the same time, with us getting a tie instead of a win last time, you don't know how that could potentially affect us having to play that team again in less than a week."

The Pioneers took control of the first half from kickoff, rarely ceding possession of the ball to the Mustangs, and taking 15 total shots. Texas Woman's came close several times to beating goalkeeper Samantha Upton, including two within the first three minutes of play from sophomores Haley Ward and Jazmine Navarro. The TWU defense was solid, allowing only two MSU shots in the first half.

"I think our defense has really been a staple for our team this season," Abouzar said. "I think they really took it personal on Sunday when Midwestern scored three goals and they took it upon themselves to stay focused for the entire game." 

In the second half, the Mustangs managed just one shot while the Pioneers continued their offensive attack with six. Navarro had a pair of shots that were barely cleared off the line by the MSU defense. Freshman Maddy Harper sent in an attempt in the 88^thminute, but the deadlock held and moved the game into overtime for the fourth time this season for TWU. 
 
The Pioneers pressed on offense through the first overtime, taking three shots to none for MSU. Senior Lauren Neely nearly landed the golden goal with a header that was barely saved by Upton. 
 
Knowing that they needed to settle this match before being forced into penalty kicks, the Pioneers shot like a cannon out of the gate with Schneider's goal coming 11 seconds into the second OT. 

"We know they're a possession-oriented team, so we had to let our players up top know that as soon as that kickoff goes they need to go run and put them under pressure," Abouzar said. "I wasn't expecting that right off the bat, but I'll take it." 

The victory ties two school records - most wins in a season (11, 2015) and most home wins in a season (6, 2014). The shutout extends TWU's unbeaten streak to seven games.
 
Freshman Jazmine Maxwell benefited from her stingy defense that kept MSU's shot output to three for the entire game with none on goal. She recorded her school-record 10^thshutout.  
 
Ward and Harper each had four shots with Navarro and sophomore Lexi D'Abrosca registering three each. TWU dominated with a total of 25 shots, 14 on goal, to the Mustangs' three. 

"I think that our front, midfield and outside backs are doing a great job and just attacking," Abouzar said. "That's something that we wanted to continue to do. Our best defense is our offense. Even though we didn't score until late, I definitely feel that we made it difficult for them and did what was best for ourselves." 

Advancing in the tournament, Texas Woman's will next face the No. 2 seed, Angelo State (8-3-1), whom they have defeated twice this year, both 2-0 shutouts. 

 "I told our players that we have to throw [beating them twice already] out the window, that everything that we've done up to this point in terms of wins means nothing," Abouzar added. "Everyone is essentially 0-0 now. The biggest thing is just recovery for the players, and preparing ourselves for tomorrow." 

TWU's semifinal showdown with ASU is at 5 p.m. in Canyon, Texas.