LAKELAND, Fla. – The Florida Southern College women's soccer team lost in the semifinal round of the Sunshine State Conference tournament, falling to Florida Tech in penalty kicks after the teams played to a 1-1 draw.
The Moccasins (12-1-4, 8-1-1 SSC) won their first-regular season championship in program history after finishing the season on an eight-game winning streak, but saw their progress come to a halt against the feisty Panthers (8-5-3, 5-4-1 SSC) in penalty kicks.
Jenny Staten played phenomenally in goal, tying her career high by making nine saves to keep the Moccasins afloat heading into game-deciding penalty kicks.
Florida Tech held a dramatic shot advantage over the home team for the entirety of the contest, outshooting the Moccasins 8-1 over the course of the first half.
The Mocs were able to weather the storm, as the unit of
Jordan King,
Brooke Lowery,
Madison Male, and SSC Defensive Player of the Year
Morgan Collica did their part to limit any high-percentage scoring opportunities.
The teams broke for halftime still knotted at zero, but the visitors opened the scoring quickly to start the second frame.
The Panthers earned possession on the left wing and were able to fire an innocent-looking cross towards the far post. The pass was received and headed into the bottom right corner to put Florida Tech up 1-0 in the 48
th minute.
The Moccasins were quick to reply, as
Caitlyn Lowery took a corner kick in the 52
nd minute.
C. Lowery booted the kick from the left corner with her right foot, dropping the ball into the melee of players in the box. Sophomore
Morgan Elliott rose above the pack and headed the ball towards the cage, and the shot ricocheted off a pair of Panther defenders before falling into the back of the net.
With the game tied at one, the teams exchanged quality scoring chances for the remainder of the half.
Tatum Albrecht, who played all 110 minutes in the game, ripped a shot that pinged off the left post, keeping the game even.
The score remained tied at one after 90 minutes, which initiated the first overtime action of the year. The teams played two 10-minute halves without scoring, largely in part due to Staten's three saves in the extra period.
After the extra period expired, the teams took to penalty kicks to decide which squad would advance to the Sunshine State Conference Championship.
The Panthers forced the pressure by making all five of their shots, despite an excellent effort from freshman goalkeeper
Heidi Harris, who faced the shots in the penalty shootout.
The Moccasins had conversions from C. Lowery, Male, and
Angelina Coelho, but were unable to overcome the impressive showing from the visitors, who advanced on penalty kicks, 5-3.
The Panthers will travel to Daytona Beach, Fla. to take on the Embry-Riddle Eagles this Sunday in the SSC Championship, while the Moccasins will await the NCAA Division II Selection Show as they hope to receive an at-large bid to the tournament.
The selection will take place this Monday, Nov. 7, at 7 p.m. on NCAA.com.
