Women's Soccer 11/19/2011 4:18:00 PM

Stars survive and advance past Trinity Christian 3-2 on penalty kicks

OCU advances to the second round of the NAIA national championship

Ashley Bechtold and Allie Glazner celebrate after the Stars' victory Saturday.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma City University women's soccer advanced to the second round of the NAIA National Championship defeating Trinity Christian (Ill.) 3-2 on penalty kicks Saturday at Stars Field.
The 23rd-ranked Stars have won two consecutive NAIA Championship Opening-Round matches in penalty kicks, beating Bellevue (Neb.) 4-3 on penalties a season ago.
"I thought it was good performance by the ladies," OCU coach Brian Harvey said. "We played some of the better football that we've played in the whole playoffs, so I felt we deserved to win. I was a little disappointed that it went to penalty kicks, but we've been practicing them quite a bit and I think the girls did pretty well on them."
The Stars and the 16th-ranked Trolls each managed three shots in the first half, but defense prevailed sending the match to halftime tied at 0-0.
OCU picked up the pace in the second half outshooting Trinity Christian 6-2, but goalkeeper Hannah Gonzales made three saves to keep the Stars off the scoreboard and send the match to overtime.
The 0-0 deadlock continued in the first overtime period. The Stars put two more shots on goal but were unable to find the back of the net.
Sophomore goalkeeper Ashley Bechtold stopped the Trolls only shot on goal in the second overtime period, keeping the score 0-0 and sending the match to penalty kicks.
The Stars outshot the Trolls 13-7 in regulation, and Bechtold made three saves in 110 minutes of action.
Sophomore Meghan McMahon led off for the Stars in penalty kicks and beat Gonzales to give OCU an early 1-0 advantage.
Amanda Henderson took Trinity Christian's first penalty kick, and Bechtold made the save to her left to keep OCU on top 1-0.
Sophomore Blerta Rashica had her shot saved by Gonzales, but Allison Doyle missed high for Trinity to keep the Stars in control.
Gonzales made a kick save to keep Gianna Puskarich's shot out of the net, and KC Roller beat Bechtold to pull the Trolls even at 1-1.
Freshman Allie Glazner put her shot in the top-left corner of the goal to put OCU up 2-1, but Bekah Gonzales found the back of the net to pull the Trolls even at 2-2.
Senior Lauren Haymans bounced her shot off the goal post, but the ball ricocheted off Gonzales' back and into the goal to put the Stars back on top 3-2.
Katie Linehan missed Trinity Christian's final penalty kick ending the shootout 3-2 in favor of OCU.
"In penalty kicks you just have stay tough and keep being mentally strong, because if you're not you'll get scored on," Bechtold said. "I'm so excited, and I know if we play like we played today we will be fine."
The Stars, 17-2-2 on the season, advance to the national championship final site of Jack Allen Recreation Complex in Decatur, Ala., and face No. 1 seed Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 28. Lindsey Wilson advanced past Robert's Wesleyan (N.Y.) 6-1 on Saturday.
"It's a long drive, but it will be fun," Haymans said. "We get to do some community service out there and we'll go and play the No. 1 team. It's going to be a good game, and we're going to try our best."
Boxscore
2011 NAIA National Championship Bracket

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Players Mentioned

#16 Lauren Haymans: MF; 5' 4"; Senior

#22 Meghan McMahon: F; 5' 8"; Sophomore

#8 Gianna Puskarich: MF; 5' 8"; Sophomore

#7 Blerta Rashica: MF; 5' 4"; Sophomore

#1 Ashley Bechtold: GK; 5' 8"; Sophomore

#11 Allie Glazner: D; 5' 5"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#16 Lauren Haymans
: 5' 4"; Senior
: MF

#22 Meghan McMahon
: 5' 8"; Sophomore
: F

#8 Gianna Puskarich
: 5' 8"; Sophomore
: MF

#7 Blerta Rashica
: 5' 4"; Sophomore
: MF

#1 Ashley Bechtold
: 5' 8"; Sophomore
: GK

#11 Allie Glazner
: 5' 5"; Freshman
: D