SIOUX CITY, Iowa — Dakota Wesleyan University women’s soccer team nearly upset No. 2-seeded Briar Cliff Thursday afternoon in the Great Plains Athletic Conference tournament quarterfinals but the Chargers prevailed 5-4 in penalty kicks to claim a 2-1 overtime victory at Faber Field.
Hannah Shuttleworth converted the game-clinching attempt in penalties, beating DWU goalkeeper Isabella Gregg to allow the Chargers to advance. The converted try followed DWU’s Alexis Thompson’s chance going wide of the goal on the Tigers’ final attempt of the five-round shootout. Until then, each team had converted four penalties, with DWU’s Jozy Bardsley, Kazia Ohayon, Alondra Partida and Kamryn Harrop all converting on their shots.
The two teams played nearly 80 minutes of scoreless soccer before a pair of goals arrived in less than 90 seconds. After Briar Cliff had its goalkeeper Darrien Sclafani sent off for a red card, DWU’s Jozy Bardsley broke the stalemate in the 85th minute with a goal, assisted by Kamryn Harrop.
Moments later, Briar Cliff evened the match with a Sonja Rao goal in the 87th minute off a penalty kick. The score would stay at 1-all into overtime, despite Briar Cliff being down to 10 players.
The Chargers had a 10-3 advantage in corner kicks and a 14-8 edge in shots on goal in the match. Gregg played the entire match for seventh-seeded DWU in net, making 11 saves in regulation.
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Briar Cliff (13-2-1) will host either No. 3 Hastings or No. 6 Concordia (Neb.) in the semifinals on Tuesday, Nov. 9. The Chargers were 10-1-1 in conference play, including a 4-0 win over the Tigers on Sept. 22.
DWU finishes its season at 9-8-1.
