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The Mississippi College women’s soccer team came within moments of winning the National Christian College Athletic Association championship, but a late goal and a penalty shootout gave Houghton College the victory at the Austin-Tindall Complex.
The Lady Choctaws (14-4-4) opened the scoring in the 29th minute when sophomore Caitlin Hayes headed in a corner kick fromMeghan Mauzy. Both teams would have chances in the half, but MC took a 1-0 lead into the break.
In the second half, MC looked to be holding off a late charge from Highlanders (16-6-2) as they set up for a corner kick with under a minute to play. Houghton was able to clear the ball and were set up for a free kick after a foul by the Lady Choctaws with just two seconds remaining.
Sarah Gabriele found the back of the net on the final kick of the match, netting her 13th goal of the season to send the game to overtime.
Both teams had shots in the first and second overtimes, but after two scoreless 10-minute periods, the match would be decided on penalty kicks.
After the Highlanders made their first shot, freshman Jess Davenport saw her attempt go off the post to give HC an early lead.
The teams would trade makes over the next two rounds, and the Highlanders hit their fourth-round shot to take a 4-2 lead and force MC to make.
Sophomore Hope Smith stepped to the spot and put a good shot on, but goalkeeper Shawna Sprout made a save to clinch the championship for Houghton.
The Lady Choctaws outshot the Highlanders (15-10) and had six corner kicks to just three for HC.
Hayes led MC with five shots in the match, while senior Sayit Mejia Bello and Davenport put up three attempts apiece. Gabriele led the Highlanders with four shots.
Freshman goalkeeper Andrea McDonald made five saves for MC, while Sprout made six stops.
The match was the final outing for seniors Mejia Bello, Robin Cooper, Meghan Dodge and Eri Unai.
