#HLWSOC Semifinals:
(2) Oakland 0, (3) Northern Kentucky 0 (Oakland advances on PKs, 4-1)
(4) Wright State 1, (1) Milwaukee 1 (Wright State advances on PKs. 4-3)
MILWAUKEE, Wis. -- For the first time in the history of the Horizon League Women’s Soccer Championship, both semifinal matches went to overtime. In fact, both matches were decided in penalty kicks, with second-seeded Oakland moving on to face No. 4 seed Wright State.
Oakland advanced on penalty kicks, 4-1, after a scoreless draw with Northern Kentucky. In the nightcap, Wright State got a late equalizer before advancing on penalties, 4-3.
(2) Oakland 0, (3) Northern Kentucky 0 (Oakland advances on PKs, 4-1)
Following a scoreless 110 minutes, Emily Zweng turned aside Northern Kentucky’s first three penalty kicks of the night, leading Oakland to a 4-1 decision and advancing the Golden Grizzlies to the Horizon League Women’s Soccer Championship.
While Zweng was strong between the posts, the Golden Grizzlies proved their proficiency from the spot, hitting all four of its attempts to seal the result. Oakland's Sydnye Gagner, Cecille Dokka and Ali Almonte netted goals to push the Golden Grizzlies to a 3-0 advantage. After NKU connected on its third, Jamie Horne made the fourth and final penalty kick to advance Oakland in the tournament.
Prior to penalties, both goalkeepers were strong, with Northern Kentucky’s Brooke Schocker making six saves, five in the second half.
The Norse end the 2015 campaign with an 11-5-2 overall record, the best record NKU has recorded in its four seasons at the Division I level.
(4) Wright State 1, (1) Milwaukee 1 (Wright State advances on PKs, 4-3)
Natalie Sedlock netted the equalizer in the 83rd minute, sending the semifinal match to overtime before Halle Pyle stepped up with two saves in penalty kicks to send Wright State past host Milwaukee, 4-3, on penalties.
Wright State will play for its first Horizon League women’s soccer title since the 2012 season. The Raiders will be looking for their first conference championship since 2000.
In penalties, Bryce Hueber and Niki Romero post matched Milwaukee goals through two rounds. The next two rounds would see Pyle turn aside Panther attempts. In round three, MacKenzie Hamilton would put Wright State up, 3-2. Cassidy Blanchard’s tally squared the penalties in Milwaukee’s half of the fifth round, but Mattie Cutts stepped up and casually deposited the Raiders’ clinching penalty.
Paige Lincicum made a save in the third penalty round to keep the Panthers alive.
For the first 80 minutes of the match, it appeared as if Milwaukee would advance to its seventh conference title match in eight years. Midway through the first half, Maria Stephans potted a rebound off an Anna Smalley shot from the right side of the box to give Milwaukee a 1-0 lead 27 minutes into the match.
The second half would see continuous pressure from Wright State before Sedlock’s shot from the right side eluded a diving Lincicum and was deflected into the net. Wright State finished with nine corner kicks in the match.
Overtime would see chances for both teams, with the Raiders catching the crossbar and Milwaukee countering and forcing Pyle into two sprawling saves.
