San Antonio - The Tiger women's soccer
team eliminated defending Division III national champion
Hardin-Simmons from the NCAA Playoffs with a 3-1 second round
victory on Sunday night.
Trinity improves to 22-0-0, breaking the school record for wins
in a single season. The 2002 Tigers finished the year with a
21-2-0 mark to set the previous record.
The Tigers, competing in the program's 17th postseason event
overall, will play Ithaca next weekend in the third round, at a
site to be determined. Hardin-Simmons, in its 11th NCAA event,
completed the season with a 20-2-0 record, with both losses coming
against Trinity.
Abby Loar broke a 1-1 deadlock with a goal in the 76th minute
for the Tigers, assisted by Shelby Hopkins. Loar is Trinity's
all-time scoring and points leader, and has chalked up 58 goals, 34
assists, and 150 total points during her career. She registered her
21st goal of the campaign, and the eighth game-winner.
Trinity's Emily Jorgens started things off with a solo goal in the
19th minute - which turned out to be the only score in the opening
half. The Cowgirls led the half 9-8 in total shots, but
Trinity held a 6-3 lead in shots on goal.
Hardin-Simmons Devon Howard tied the game in the 58th minute, on an
assist by Vivian Wells.
Following the eventual game-winning goal by Loar, Kelly Watts
scored an insurance goal just minutes later, with help from
teammates Jorgens and Stephanie Segovia.
Trinity's goalkeeper Devan Osegueda played the full 90 minutes and
chalked up six saves in the game. Hardin-Simmons keeper Rebecca
Roth accounted for three saves.
The Tigers led the Cowgirls 21-17 in total shots, and held an 8-7
advantage in shots on the mark.
In September, Trinity won a 3-2 double-overtime battle with
Hardin-Simmons, played on the Tigers field. The Cowgirls eliminated
the Tigers with a 2-1 win in last year's NCAA second round.
Hardin-Simmons went on to capture the NCAA title with a victory
over Messiah at San Antonio's Blossom Soccer Stadium.
Trinity and San Antonio Sports will co-host, for the third straight
year, the NCAA Men's and Women's semifinals and finals Dec. 2-3 at
Blossom.
