JACKSON, Tenn.- Union women's soccer hosted UAH for the GSC Quarterfinal at the Smith Memorial Soccer Complex. This was only the second time Union has hosted a playoff match in the NCAA Division II era of the program. Following the match, the Lady Bulldogs finish the season with a conference record of 5-1-5.
Kaitlyn Lewis of UAH led the charge in the twelve minute of the match, capitalizing off a long baller from the backline. Given the wet field conditions, the ball slowed down perfectly for Lewis to go one-verse-one with
Antia Lopez Rodriguez. Lewis was assisted by the Charger's captain Campbell Tarentino.
Irene Arias had one of the lone solid scoring opportunities in the first half with a curving left footed shot on CeCe Szopa which went just wide of the post.
Union got back to business in the second half.
Brinley Linnenbringer teed up
Kaitlin Conway for a screamer into the upper 90. The equalizer showed a glimmer of hope for the Lady Bulldogs as they would go on to outshoot UAH 12-6 in the second half. After 90 minutes, the score remained 1-1, bringing up overtime; the first time this Lady Bulldog squad has been in overtime since October 24 of the 2021 season.
Both periods were scoreless, featuring 2 clutch saves from Szopa and 3 from Lopez Rodriguez. Finally, the match had come down to a penalty kick shootout.
Szopa was the star of this show, making 2 more clutch saves to advance her team to the GSC Semifinals.Â
Conway led the blitz in shots on goal (4), putting in on frame 80 percent of the day. Lopez Rodriguez ended the day with 7 saves.
To keep up with the squad during the offseason, follow @UUAthleticsWS on Instagram and Twitter.
