RADNOR, Pa. – The Neumann University women's soccer team tied Cabrini University 1-1 in an Atlantic East Conference semifinal game on Wednesday evening. The Knights advance to the Conference Championship, taking the penalty kicks 4-2.
The Knights scored on their only shot of the game, coming in the 34th minute. Anna Poehlmann stole the ball at midfield and passed to Liz Purcell. Purcell then chipped the ball over the keeper's head 25-yards out and into to net.
Leona Macrina made two outstanding saves earlier in the half to keep the game knotted scoreless. In the 22nd minute, the sophomore made a diving save at the goal line off a Cavaliers free kick. Macrina then made a save just before the Knights scored on a header, again off a free kick.
Three minutes before halftime, the Cavaliers had a shot go off the crossbar and the Knights took the 1-0 advantage at the break.
The Cavaliers held the pace of the second half, just as they had done in the first. With 1:49 left in regulation, Cabrini finally broke through and beat Macrina to tie the game at one. The teams then played through 20 minutes of overtime without any more goals and the game officially ended in a tie.
Macrina finished with six saves. The Knights back line played a pivotal part of the game, as they continued to clear out chances from the Cavaliers before they could capitalize on second chances.
To see who advanced to the Championship Game, the teams went to penalty kicks. Lex Navarro came into net for the Knights for the shootout. Each team made their first two shots. The Cavaliers keeper then made stepped up to the line and Navarro made the save. Rebecca Spence made her shot in the to put Neumann up 3-2. Cabrini then had a shot go wide and Caitlin Llewellyn made her shot to give the Knights the 4-2 win in penalty kicks and send Neumann to the Championship game!
Neumann (8-8-4) will head to Marywood on Saturday to play for the 2022 Atlantic East Championship. Action is slated to get underway at 1:00 PM.
