HAMBURG, N.Y. – Fourth-seeded Hilbert Women's Soccer advanced to the AMCC Women's Soccer Semifinals on Saturday afternoon, defeating fifth-seeded La Roche 1-0 in double overtime at Hawk Field. The match remained scoreless for more than 104 minutes before the Hawks broke through with the game-winning goal.
Hilbert controlled much of the attacking play throughout the contest, outshooting La Roche 24-16 and holding a 17-10 advantage in shots after halftime and overtime. The Hawks also placed nine shots on goal while creating several dangerous opportunities over the final 59 minutes of play.
The first half featured chances for both teams, with
Haley Karaszewski,
Ja'Lynn Sanders, and
Michaela Olson each forcing saves from the La Roche goalkeeper. Defensively, goalkeeper
Keira McFarland recorded two saves as the teams entered halftime deadlocked at 0-0.
La Roche generated pressure throughout the second half, but McFarland kept the match scoreless with six saves after the break. Meanwhile, the Hawks continued to push forward offensively, receiving six shot attempts from Sanders and opportunities from
Alex Frydel, Valentine Hauser,
Evin Stauffer, and
Acadia Evans.
Hilbert nearly ended the match in the first overtime period. Sanders and Stauffer each put shots on goal during a stretch of sustained pressure, while Frydel struck the crossbar in the 100th minute. The Hawks totaled seven shots in the first overtime session alone.
The breakthrough finally came in the second overtime. After more than 104 minutes of scoreless soccer, Hilbert found the winner at the 104:06 mark to secure the 1-0 victory and advance in postseason play.
Acadia Evans played a cross into the box that found the back of the net off a La Roche defender to end the game.
Sanders led all players with 10 shots and three shots on goal. Stauffer and Hauser each added three shots, while Karaszewski placed both of her attempts on target. McFarland finished with eight saves to record the shutout.
UP NEXT:
The Hawks will travel to take on the conference's top seed, Penn State Behrend, on Wednesday at 6 pm.
