WICHITA, Kan. - No. 2-seeded Friends University Women's Soccer advanced to the KCAC Tournament semifinals with a 4-3 penalty shootout victory over the No. 7-seeded Ottawa University Braves tonight (Nov. 4) at Adair-Austin Stadium.
In a tightly contested quarterfinal matchup, Ottawa took a 1-0 lead into halftime after Reece Young scored off an assist from Charlotte Gatehouse. Friends responded in the second half as
Kieley Aranda converted a penalty kick to even the score at 1-1 and send the contest into overtime.
After 110 minutes of play, the match moved to a penalty shootout, where Friends converted four of its five attempts to secure the victory.
Kieley Aranda got the Falcons off to a strong start by converting the opening attempt. After
Payton Kauffman's attempt was stopped,
Peyton Martin-Peterson,
Francesca Jones and
Elisa Murrietta each found the back of the net to give Friends four successful conversions.
Ottawa converted its first three attempts from Cennet Donahue, Emma Stillings and Brie Fitzpatrick before Ella Stillings missed her attempt. With the shootout on the line, Charlotte Gatehouse's final attempt struck the crossbar, sealing the 4-3 shootout victory for the Falcons.
Friends dominated the offensive numbers, generating a 22-4 advantage in shots while putting 12 attempts on goal and limiting Ottawa to three shots on frame. Aranda led the Falcons with seven shots, including five on goal, while converting her lone penalty kick.
Anahi Ibarra-Arevalo added four shots, with one on goal, while
Taylor Dill put both of her attempts on target.
Aurora Delgado finished with three shots, including one on goal.
Makena Tapia recorded 11 saves while playing all 110 minutes in goal for Ottawa. Young scored the Braves' lone goal on her only shot, while Gatehouse tallied an assist. Emma Stillings led Ottawa with two shots, both on goal.
With the victory, the Falcons advance to the KCAC Tournament semifinals on Saturday (Nov. 7), where they will host the No. 3-seeded Kansas Wesleyan Coyotes at Adair-Austin Stadium. Kickoff time is to be announced.
