No. 5 Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Knocks Off No. 4 UIW in Penalty Kicks
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CONWAY, Ark. – Regulation and two extra time periods couldn’t separate No. 4 UIW and No. 5 Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, who triumphed over the Cardinals 4-2 in penalty kicks in Wednesday’s final quarterfinal match of the Southland Conference Tournament.
After UIW evened the score with two goals in the final 10 minutes of regulation, the Islanders survived a barrage of shots in extra time before pulling it out in spot kicks. Making her first-ever start, freshman goalkeeper Kassie Rembisz tallied 13 saves, including a huge stop in the penalty kick round.
Larissa Fagundes put the game-winner away in the final segment of the match, and Reaghan Lang, Dana Curtis and Madeleine Lozano also found the back of the net in penalty kicks.
The Islanders drew first blood in the 10
th minute as Abby Deakin got to a loose ball bouncing around the box and headed it into the upper left corner.
UIW dominated possession in the second period, threatening the A&M-Corpus Christi defense until Jade Piper’s cross found Andrea Reyes at the far post for a goal that cut the deficit in half in the 80
th minute.
Seven minutes later, the Cardinals scored the equalizer after Rembisz lost her grip on a ball and Piper put a shot into the back of the net.
In the first period of extra time, UIW continued to apply pressure on the Islander defense with five shots on frame in the period. The Cardinals had a good look at a potential winner in the 106
th minute, but Keeley Ayala’s volley went over the crossbar.
A&M-Corpus Christi advances to face top-seeded Lamar in the semifinals at 7 p.m. Friday.