Aurora advances past Women's Soccer in NACC Tournament via shootout

MEQUON, Wis. – For the second straight day, a top-seeded Concordia University Wisconsin Soccer team suffered a heartbreaker at Fitting Field. On Wednesday, it was the Falcons Women's Soccer team who played to a 1-1 draw with fourth-seeded Aurora University, but ultimately the Spartans would advance on in the NACC Tournament with a 4-2 advantage in a shootout.

THE BASICS

- Final Score: Aurora 1, Concordia Wisconsin 1 (Aurora advances on PKs, 4-2)
- Location: Fitting Field – Mequon, Wis.
- Records: Aurora 12-7-1; Concordia Wisconsin 14-2-3

HOW IT HAPPENED

- It was the tale of two halves in regulation as Aurora surprised the top-seeded Falcons by dominating play in the first 45 minutes. The Spartans scored just under 10 minutes into play on a goal from Hannah Scahill, her eighth of the season.

- Aurora would continue to control possession for much of the first half, finishing with a 12-2 edge in shots over the first 45 minutes of play.

- The Falcons picked up their play after halftime, outshooting the Spartans 16-4. CUW would tie the match in the 58th minute when senior Carley Pfannerstill (Grafton, Wis.) netted her 18th goal of the season. Freshman Kayla Schlosser (Germantown, Wis.) sent a ball through the defense and up the right side where Pfannerstill was able to take it in for the game-tying goal.

- Overtime saw a few chances both ways, with the Falcons, with the Falcons outshooting the Spartans 4-2 over the two extra sessions.

- The shootout ended up in favor of Aurora as all four of the Spartans players converted their PK opportunities. The Falcons started the shootout with a make, and it was all even at 2-2 after each team had two players attempt a shot. CUW would get stopped in its third and fourth attempts, while the Spartans converted both to advance.

- Caitlin DeReuiter made 10 saves for the Spartans, while Falcons goalkeeper, sophomore Tabitha Ortiz (Plainfield, Ill.) stopped seven shots. Junior Ariana Worthing (Saginaw, Mich.) added one save in relief for the Falcons.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

- The match still goes down as a draw. The shootout was only used to determine who advanced in the NACC Tournament.

- If this was the final match for the Falcons senior class, what a career it was. This class produced 53 wins, including at least 14 victories in three seasons.

- Pfannerstill's goal was the 57th of her impressive career. It also gave her 145 points, a career-best 45 of those coming this season.

UP NEXT

- Just as on the men's side, the Falcons could possibly get an at-large bid into the NCAA Tournament. If that would happen, CUWFalcons.com would have all the information you would need to know.