CINCINNATI, OHIO – The Mount St. Joseph University women's soccer team tied the Rose-Hulman Fightin' Engineers 1-1 at Schueler Field before advancing to the HCAC Finals with a 4-1 victory in penalty kicks. The result brings the Lions' overall record to 11-3-3.
Rose-Hulman scored within the first 10 minutes of the match, giving the Fightin' Engineers an early 1-0 lead. In the 32nd minute, Kendal Fox nearly tied the match, but her shot was saved by the Rose-Hulman goalkeeper. The Mount created several scoring opportunities in the first half, earning six corner kicks, but could not convert any of them as Rose-Hulman entered halftime with a 1-0 advantage.
The Lions dominated the second half, outshooting the Fightin' Engineers 6-1 and earning four corner kicks compared to Rose-Hulman's zero. Within the first two minutes of the second half, the Mount was awarded a penalty kick after a player was fouled in the box during a corner kick. Mary Anhofer converted the penalty, tying the match at 1-1.
Megan Kallmeyer made a save in the 64th minute to keep the match knotted at 1-1. In the 66th minute, Sophie Roebel nearly gave the Lions the lead, but her shot was saved by the Fightin' Engineers goalkeeper. The teams remained tied 1-1 at the end of regulation, sending the match into overtime.
Both overtime periods were evenly contested, with the Mount taking two shots in the first overtime and Rose-Hulman taking two shots in the second. Mary Anhofer recorded both of the Lions' shots during overtime. Neither team found the back of the net, and the match remained tied 1-1, forcing a penalty shootout to determine who would advance to the HCAC Finals.
The Mount took the first penalty kick, with Anhofer converting to give the Lions a 1-0 advantage. Megan Kallmeyer then saved Rose-Hulman's first attempt, and Kendal Fox converted the Mount's next kick to make it 2-0. Rose-Hulman missed its second attempt, and Gabrielle Eagan converted her penalty to put the Mount ahead 3-0. The Fightin' Engineers converted their third attempt to make the score 3-1. Rachel Ginn then converted the Lions' fourth penalty kick, securing a 4-1 shootout victory and sending the Mount to the HCAC Finals.
UP NEXT: The No. 1-seeded Mount St. Joseph Lions will host the No. 2-seeded Hanover College Panthers in the HCAC Championship game on Saturday, November 7, at Schueler Field. The winner will earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
