Lady Badgers Fall in Heartbreaker

The Louisiana State University-Shreveport Lady Pilots advanced to the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference women’s soccer championship game with a 4-2 penalty kick victory over Spring Hill College.
 
In an evenly matched first half, the Lady Badgers (10-6-3) were able to strike the lone goal of the period when Kasey Pruett put in a Sarah Engels pass to left corner in the 18th minute of play.
 
In the second half, the Lady Pilots began to exert themselves on the offensive end.  LSU-S blasted out 12 shots in the period, but Spring Hill keeper Shannon Netherby kept the Lady Pilots off the board with eight saves in the period.  All was not lost for LSU-S and in the 74th minute Caitlin Smith scored a Rachel Alexander pass to tie the match at 1-1 and send the game into overtime.
 
Following two scoreless overtimes, the match would be decided by penalty kicks.  Spring Hill’s Laura Pawlik opened the five-shot shoot out with a goal, but LSU-S answered with a score from Julia Vaughan.  On the Lady Badgers next shot attempt Mary Sullivan’s shot attempt sailed wide and LSU-S took advantage when Shelley Davenport netted her attempt to give LSU-S a 2-1 advantage.
 
Moe Sargent kicked next for Lady Badgers and like Sullivan her shot sailed wide.  LSU-S again took advantage as Caitlin Smith scored to give LSU-S a 4-1 lead.  Kasey Pruett kept the Lady Badgers in it with a goal but Michelle Williamson sealed the deal with the deciding fourth goal for the Lady Pilots.
 
With the victory, LSU-S advances to GCAC Championship game against the winner of the University of Mobile and William Carey match.  Game time is set for 5:30 p.m. at the WCU Soccer Complex on Saturday.