MIAMI SHORES, Fla. – Barry University's women's soccer team sunk the Tars 2-1 in overtime to advance to the South Region Tournament Final.
The Bucs scored two goals in a matter of three minutes to keep their NCAA run alive. Linnea Kogsta netted the tying goal that sent the match into overtime at 87:46. Then just 0:34 seconds into overtime, Shannell McDonnell scored the game-winning goal to advance the Bucs in the NCAA Tournament.
"The Tars had us on our heels the first half of the game and going into the second half, and when they scored the first goal, it sort of lit a fire in us. We immediately changed our formation from a 4-5-1 to a 3-4-3, and we started to become more attacking. The seniors really stepped up for their team today. Linnea's goal was pure effort, and she really wanted to score for her team. Then in overtime, Shannell, another senior, sealed away the win and it was just a great effort all around," said head women's soccer coach, Sarah Dacey.
The match was a stalemate the entire first half as both teams struggled to find the back of the net. Rollins outshot the Bucs 7-3, while both keepers made two saves each.
The Tars were the first to break the silence in the 68th minute, when Emma Bloom netted her sixth goal of the season to give Rollins the 1-0 lead. Ally Rost found Bloom in the box with a lofted pass, and Bloom was able to bring the ball down, turn and knock it past Barry's keeper, Paula Forero.
It looked as if the Tars were going to come away with this one, until Barry's Kogsta received a cross in the air from McDonnell, and headed the ball past Tars' keeper, Kelly Rowswell, to knot the match 1-1.
Kogsta's goal was the final mark of the second half, and the match went into overtime.
Just 34 seconds into the extra period, Sarah Wignall and McDonnell's give and go set up McDonnell for the game-winning goal from just inside the 18 yard box. McDonnell took a more of an offensive role after the Tar's first goal, and it paid off with a cross-frame shot that advanced the Bucs to the regional final for the second straight year.
Barry held an edge in shots over Rollins 13-11. Forero collected the win, making three saves, while Rowswell took the loss after making five saves.
Barry is hosting the South Regional Final on Friday Nov. 18, where they take on West Florida at 5 pm. The Southeast Regional Final will also be played at Barry on Friday at 7:30 pm. Columbus State and North Georgia, the top two seeds from the Southeast advanced to the final. The winner of those two games will play at Barry on Sunday at 1 pm as part of the NCAA Quarterfinals.
The NCAA Division II College Cup will be held Dec. 1 & 3 at Swope Park in Kansas City, Mo. The Championship will be hosted by the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association, Kansas City Sports Commission, and Rockhurst University.
