NATCHITOCHES, La. – Alexa Huerta’s floating shot to the back post in the 106
th minute gave fourth-seeded HCU a 1-0 overtime victory over fifth-seeded Southeastern Louisiana in the first quarterfinal of the 2022 Southland Conference Women’s Soccer Championship on Wednesday afternoon.
HCU (7-9-3) advances to the semifinals against top-seeded Lamar, with that match to be played at 4 p.m. Friday. Southeastern’s season ends at 7-7-3. This is HCU’s fourth trip to the semifinals of the conference tournament and first since 2016.
The first half was a back-and-forth period though neither team was able to find the back of the net. HCU’s Felecia Hernandez came closest for the Huskies with a looping shot off the crossbar in the 33
rd minute, while the Lady Lions’ best chance came in the 36
th minute when Southland Midfielder of the Year Mya Guillory’s close-range shot was saved by HCU’s Chloe Bagshaw.
Southeastern goalkeeper Olivia Griffin was pressured on a breakaway opportunity in the 56
th minute, making a stunning kick save on Evelyn Slaughter’s shot, then turning away the second opportunity by Katie Marker just seconds later.
HCU’s Bagshaw made a key diving punch on a cross in the 88
th minute and the Huskies were able to successfully defend Southeastern’s corner kick opportunity to send the match into extra time. The Huskies outshot SLU 16-9 in regulation time, with five shots on goal to the Lady Lions’ three.
Griffin made multiple saves in the overtime periods to keep Southeastern’s hopes alive, but the match-winner with under five minutes left in the second overtime period was out of her reach. Emily Jaimes controlled the ball in the penalty area and passed to Huerta, who placed the ball perfectly in the net for her second goal of the season, sending her team to the semifinals.
HCU outshot SLU 23-11 overall for the match, with the Lady Lions holding a 10-5 advantage in corner kicks.