Des Moines–The William Penn women’s soccer team will fight to see another day after claiming a 2-1 instant-classic overtime victory over #8 seed Grand View in a Heart of America Athletic Conference Tournament Play-In Game Tuesday.
With the win, the ninth-seeded Statesmen (7-10-1) move on to Friday’s quarterfinal round to face top-seeded and #12 Benedictine in Atchison, Kan. at 7 p.m. In the first meeting between the two programs, BC defeated WPU 4-0 on October 15 in Oskaloosa.
On Tuesday, neither side was able to beat the opposing goalkeeper in a scoreless first half. Shortly into the second period, however, Graciela Belmontes (Sr., Salinas, Calif., Biology) broke the tie with an unassisted goal at the 50:53 mark.
Unfortunately, the host Vikings (10-7-2) were awarded a penalty kick and managed the equalizer in the 71st minute. The final 19 minutes were again void of a tally as the programs were forced into overtime for the second time this year (they tied 1-1 on September 28).
But, just 1:14 into the extra period, Mariah Voight (So., La Mesa, Calif., Sociology/Psychology) sent the visitors off the pitch victorious with her own unassisted goal. It capped quite a day for Voight as earlier in the afternoon she was selected as a third-team all-Heart performer.
Not only was the win huge in extending the 2016 season, it is also the squad’s first triumph over Grand View since October 28, 2006, snapping a streak of 13 games in the series without a win.
The Statesmen outshot the Vikings 11-10 with Camila Parra (Sr., Brisbane, Australia, Exercise Science) finishing with a team-high three shots. Adriana Borjon (Sr., Willits, Calif., Exercise Science) stopped six shots in the win as well.
“Tonight was all about the team and playing for each other,” Head Coach Willie McGowan said. “As a team, we made things happen for each other and that ultimately carried us past a very good Grand View side.”
“This is the first time we have beaten Grand View in a number of years, so it was great for us to do it at this stage in the season and during this season with so many seniors,” McGowan added. “The support tonight was fantastic with family, alumni, and students from William Penn all making a lot of noise and willing us on to the result. Thank you to everyone!”
Story provided by Wade Steinlage
