DENTON, Texas — On a frigid night in Denton, the sixth-seeded St. Mary's University Women's Soccer team forced overtime at No. 3 Texas Woman's University in the quarterfinals of the Lone Star Conference Tournament, but a goal in the 94th minute dashed the Rattlers' dreams.
"From where our season started to where it's come, it's been really good," said Head Coach
Kevin Driggs. "That's a testament to the work they've put in and their mentality and willingness to be coached hard, to adjust, adapt and compete."
The Rattlers (9-6-3) came out very aggressively to start the game, taking six shots in the first 18:10, with three coming on goal before the Pioneers (14-2-3) took their first shot of the night.
Senior goalkeeper
Haley Faucette (Burlington, N.C.) made six saves, including a huge save on a penalty kick in the 65th minute.
Freshman
Marily Garza Contreras (Duncanville, Texas) placed two of the four girls on net, while junior
Elena Kossler (Ötztal-Bahnhof, Austria) and freshman
Addison Miller (San Antonio) took the other two.
Alyssa Striker scored the game-winning goal for TWU, taking a cross from Jaida Arizmendi in the 94th minute to advance to the semifinals against No. 2 Midwestern State, which defeated St. Edward's 2-0 on Monday.
It was the final match for seniors
Bella Brigman (San Antonio), Faucette,
Natalia Garcia (Helotes, Texas),
Valerie Hover (McKinney, Texas),
Shelby Paniagua (Cibolo, Texas),
Ana Parra (San Antonio),
Gabriela Varela (San Antonio),
Sydney Varela (El Paso, Texas) and
Abigail Wilson (Tomball, Texas). Pending NCAA legislation on the docket at the NCAA Convention in January, several may return for a fifth season.
