No. 8 Jennies soccer wins in shootout to advance to MIAA Tournament Finals

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OLATHE, Kan. -- Eighth-ranked Jennies soccer (18-0-2) battled to a 0-0 draw against the Central Oklahoma Bronchos following two overtime periods and advanced to the MIAA Tournament Finals with a thrilling 4-3 penalty kick shootout victory Friday afternoon at the College Boulevard Activities Complex. It was the first penalty kick shootout for the Jennies since November 16, 2012 and second shootout victory in UCM history (2012).

The Jennies and Bronchos engaged in an offensive struggle for the entire match. The Jennies outshot UCO, 12-6 in the first half, but managed just three shots to the Bronchos' 10 in the second half. Central Oklahoma fired just one shot on goal in the match, just the third time this season the Central Missouri defensive unit has yielded one shot on goal. UCM's defense did not allow a shot attempt in the two overtime periods, outshooting UCO, 5-0.

In the shootout, the Jennies sent freshman Taylor Thompson on the first attempt and drilled it past the UCO goalkeeper, giving the Jens a 1-0 advantage. Central Oklahoma evened the shootout at 1-1 on an attempt by Paige Matacchiera. Alex Yockey was next up for Central Missouri, but failed to convert after a save by the UCO keeper. The Bronchos' Kenzie Sublett made her shootout kick to give the Bronchos a 2-1 edge. Sophomore Emily Eldridge was called upon on the third shot and found the back of the net to even the tally at 2-2 after UCO's Kate Foran missed on the corresponding attempt. Freshman Ana Dilkes converted on the Jennies' fourth attempt, which was followed up by a failed attempt by Emily Precure, giving the Jennies a 3-2 lead in the shootout. After UCM freshman Megan Woolley missed on the fifth attempt, UCO's Emily Hahn converted to put the shootout at a 3-3 deadlock. Julie Ireland came through in the final attempt, which resulted in the winning shot after the Bronchos' Tess Barnard's shot was saved, advancing the Jennies to their first MIAA Tournament final since 2012.

The Jennies will battle the winner of the SBU/Fort Hays State MIAA semifinals match for an opportunity at the program's first MIAA Tournament championship since the 2011 season. The MIAA Tournament final takes place on Sunday, November 9, for an 11 a.m. first kick at the College Boulevard Activities Complex in Olathe, Kansas.