JACKSON, Tenn. — Union University women’s soccer tied UAH 1-1 in regulation and two scoreless overtime periods on Sunday in the Gulf South Conference quarterfinals, but UAH won the penalty-kick shootout to end the Lady Bulldogs’ season. The match was played at Smith Memorial Soccer Complex, only the second time Union has hosted a playoff match in the program’s NCAA Division II era.
UAH’s Kaitlyn Lewis scored in the 12th minute, on a long ball from the back line. With the field wet, the ball slowed just enough for Lewis to go one-on-one with Union goalkeeper Antia Lopez Rodriguez and finish. Campbell Tarentino, UAH’s captain, had the assist. In the first half Union’s best chance came from senior Irene Arias, whose curling left-footed shot just missed the post.
Union tied it early in the second half. Freshman Brinley Linnenbringer set up junior Kaitlin Conway, who struck a shot into the upper corner in the 52nd minute. The Lady Bulldogs then outshot UAH 12-6 in the second half. They finished with a 22-13 edge in shots, 11-8 in shots on goal and 6-3 in corner kicks. Conway took five shots, four of them on goal, and Rebekah Jackson and Arias each took four.
Neither team scored in 90 minutes after the equalizer or in two overtime periods. It was Union’s first overtime match since Oct. 24 of the 2021 season. UAH goalkeeper CeCe Szopa made 10 saves, including two in overtime and two more in the shootout, and UAH won it 4-2, according to UAH Athletics. Lopez Rodriguez made seven saves for Union in 110 minutes.
UAH (7-7-2, 5-5-1) advanced to the GSC semifinals. Union finished its season at 5-4-6 overall and 5-1-5 in conference play.
The result ended a season in which Union lost only once in conference play, going 5-1-5 in the GSC. The Lady Bulldogs’ season also brought recognition on Monday, when three Union players were named to the All-GSC teams: Arias and Jackson on the first team and Tessa Erzen on the second team. The conference’s coaches voted on those honors.