The AU women’s soccer team narrowly defeated the Army Black Hawks at West Point in their first game of Patriot League Tournament Nov. 5 in penalty kicks 3-1.
“It was an even match from both teams with some close calls on both sides,” head coach Anabel Jimenez Hering told AUEagles.com. “Charlie Belanger and our back line had a stellar game, keeping us in it. Overall, in the second half and overtime we brought more urgency and physicality which gave us the edge.”
The victory keeps the Eagles in contention for the Patriot League championship as they head to the semi-final match-up Nov. 8 against the Navy Midshipmen in Annapolis.
Army (8-8-3, PL 4-4-2) seemed to control the game at times, outshooting AU 8-4 in the first half and 8-4 in the second half. AU’s (6-11-2, PL 5-4-1) junior goalkeeper Charlene Belanger, who ended the game with 13 saves, and the Eagle’s defense, led by All-Patriot League Defender Kirsten Eriksen, kept Army off the board during regulation.
Belanger continued the shutout in both overtime periods. She made two saves in the first and another in the second to keep all 120 minutes of play scoreless. AU finished the game with nine shots, including three on goal. Junior forward Lindsay Muri led the team with four shots, including one shot on goal.
With the game still held to a scoreless draw after two halves and two overtime periods of scoreless play, the game went to penalty kicks to decide the winner.
All-Patriot League forward Lindsay Muri started things off with a goal to give the Eagles the lead. Freshman forward Ashley Bonner followed with a goal of her own. After an Army player made her penalty kick, the stage was set for AU to put the game away.
Sophomore midfielder Kassie Bryant was able to do just that, scoring on her penalty kick and launching the Eagles into the semifinals.
With the victory, the team has advanced to the semifinal round of play. The Eagles’ next matchup will take place against the Navy Midshipmen on Nov. 8 in Annapolis, Md.
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