Wheaton, Ill. (11/17) – The Wheaton Thunder women's soccer team and Hardin-Simmons University each advanced to the NCAA Division III Women's Soccer Sectional Championship, to be played on Saturday at 6 PM. Wheaton defeated Wisconsin-Eau Claire 2-0 in tonight's second Sectional Semifinal to advance and Hardin-Simmons tied UC-Santa Cruz 0-0 , but advanced with a 4-1 advantage in penalty kicks. The Sectional Championship between Wheaton and Hardin-Simmons will be held at Wheaton's Joe Bean Stadium at 6 PM on Saturday night. Tickets for will be $6 for adults, $4 for students, $2 for children 12-and-under, while children under the age of two are admitted for free. The match will also be broadcast on WETN radio at 88.1 FM in the Wheaton area and on the internet at www.wetn.org. The victor of tomorrow night's match will advance to the NCAA Division III Women's Soccer Final Four next weekend in Orlando, Fla.
In tonight's second match, Wheaton was awarded a penalty kick just 10:55 into the match. Junior captain Bethany Barton capitalized on the penalty kick to give the hosts a 1-0 lead. The Thunder held onto the 1-0 advantage for the majority of the rest of the contest, until freshman Maria Della Torre delivered a cross to fellow freshman Taryne Lee who recorded her 17th goal of the season 89:36 into the match.
Wheaton out-shot the Blugolds 19-7 and the Thunder held a 10-1 edge in corner kicks. Wheaton goalkeeper Kristin Eggert made four saves in her ninth shutout of the season. Wheaton has posted eight shutouts in its last nine matches. Allie Rivard, the netminder for the Blugolds made six saves and allowed two goals.
In tonight's opening Sectional Semifinal, Hardin-Simmons and UC-Santa Cruz played to a 0-0 through regulation. Each team took 11 shots in regulation and the Banana Slugs out-shot Hardin-Simmons 4-1 in the overtime periods. The Cowgirls advanced on a 4-1 advantage in penalty kicks. Each team made its first penalty kick, however Hardin-Simmons goalkeeper Christi Carr made two saves and her teammates each made the next three kicks to send the Cowgirls to the Sectional Championship.
