The Emory University women's soccer team saw its season end in heartbreaking fashion Sunday night, falling to Hardin-Simmons University in a penalty shootout in the second round of the NCAA tournament in Belton, Texas.
For the second night in a row, the Eagles headed to penalty kicks to decide a winner with the Cowgirls winning in PKs by a 3-2 margin. With every other game in the NCAA bracket finished, Emory and Hardin-Simmons headed to the penalty shootout tied at 1-1 following 110 minutes of action to decide the last spot in the Sweet 16.
Both sides could not convert in the first round of attempts, with HSU's Gabby Aviles missing wide right and senior Emma Cornejo being denied on a diving stop. In the second round, the Cowgirls' Alyssa Stanley went top shelf before sophomore Michelle Davidson followed with a blast past the HSU keeper.
Hardin-Simmons' Lauren Stengel and Emory's Sylvie Prepetit traded successful conversions in the third round, sending the shootout to the final two rounds even at 2-2.
Sophomore Sophia Garcia guessed correctly on Mercy Mummert's shot, however senior Grace Reyer, who earned the game-winning strike on Saturday, saw her shot drill the crossbar and bounce back into play for the miss.
With the score still tied going into the fifth round, Garcia guessed correctly once more, this time on Kaylee Maddox's kick, but could not get enough on it to prevent the score. Needing a stop for the win, the Cowgirls' Haley Foley came through as she moved left and was able to make the diving save on freshman Kaitlyn Nimmer's final attempt for the Eagles.
Hardin-Simmons opened the night as the early aggressor, outshooting the Eagles 10-2 in the first half and pushed home the game's first score with a Rachel Bonnin goal in the 43rd minute.
Emory fought back in the second half, applying continued pressure throughout the remainder of regulation and posted a 9-5 edge in shots.
It was not until 1:59 remained on the clock that the Eagles came through with the game-tying goal. A hard tackle on Prepetit inside the 18 awarded Emory with a penalty kick opportunity. Reyer, who went 2-for-2 in PKs on Saturday, was successful again, scoring the equalizer before exploding into celebration on the Emory sidelines.
In the overtime sessions, the Eagles shifted back to a defensive mindset as HSU had all five shot attempts over the final 20 minutes of play. Garcia made one of her career-high eight saves in the overtime periods to send the game to the shootout.
With the defeat Emory finishes its season with an 8-5-6 record, having advanced to the second round of the postseason for the fourth time in the last five seasons. For Hardin-Simmons, they moved to 17-1-3 and will now take on Cal Lutheran next weekend.