University of St. Thomas Athletics
8-7-4
Saint Benedict
14-4-1
Women's soccer advances to MIAC semis with shootout win
11/4/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. – The St. Thomas women's soccer team advanced to the semifinals of the MIAC Playoffs in dramatic fashion on Tuesday afternoon when it tied Saint Benedict 1-1 and advanced in a 2-0 shootout at Haws Field. It is the first time the St. Thomas women's soccer team has advanced in the MIAC Playoffs. In the 12-year history of the MIAC postseason, the Tommies are now 0-5-1.
After allowing a goal on a penalty kick earlier in the second half, senior Kate Steuer came up with arguably the biggest goal of her career in the 89th minute to send the game to overtime. The two teams held each other scoreless for a pair of 10-minute overtimes and went to a shootout.
In the shootout, sophomore goalkeeper Tarynn Theilig stopped all three attempts on target for the Blazers to hold Saint Ben's scoreless. Freshmen Kari Solheim and Brielle Bierman made good on their opportunities to keep St. Thomas' season alive for at least one more day.
The game officially is recorded as a tie, which means St. Thomas moves to 8-7-4 on the year, while Saint Benedict ends the year 14-4-1. UST will take on Augsburg tomorrow night in Minneapolis at 7:00 p.m., in the MIAC Playoff Semifinals.
The two teams played through the first half with a scoreless tie, as St. Thomas dodged 11 shots, four of which were on target. The Blazers outshot the Tommies 11-4 in the frame, including a 4-0 edge on goal.
Saint Benedict finally broke the scoreless tie in the 75th minute. Alyssa Hoffman was dragged down in the box and received a penalty kick. Hoffman didn't let it go to waste, putting it in the back of the net to put her team on top 1-0.
The Tommies threatened late with a header attempt by senior Morgan McConachie in the 87th minute. McConachie had a good look on a cross, but her header just missed high over the crossbar and UST still faced the 1-0 deficit.
It looked as though Saint Ben's would seal the win, but the Tommie women had other plans. With just 1:34 remaining in the contest, senior Kate Steuer picked the perfect time to score her first career goal. After Hailey Zweber sent the ball into the box, the Saint Ben's defense sent it out to the left wing, where Steuer chipped it up and over Blazer goalkeeper Heather Kaluzniak.
Steuer's goal tied the game and sent it to overtime. After a scoreless first overtime, the two teams went to a second overtime, but it was not enough, as neither team would score in the second extra period. With the extra 20 minutes yielding no scores, the two squads went to a shootout.
In the shootout, keeper Tarynn Theilig stopped the first Blazer attempt. Freshman Kari Solheim followed with a make, putting the shot in the upper left corner of the goal.
Theilig came up with another big save on the ensuing chance and St. Thomas freshman Hailey Zweber and Saint Benedict's Kelsey Tatarek each missed their chances. UST freshman Brielle Bierman followed with a goal to put the Tommies in front 2-0 in the shootout with just two shooters to go, meaning the Blazers needed both players to connect.
However, it was not so, as Theilig came up with another big save to secure the shootout win and send the Tommies to the semifinals.
For the game, Saint Ben's outshot St. Thomas 23-13, including a 9-4 edge in shots on target. UST held the advantage in corner kicks (5-4).
Theilig finished the game with eight saves and was key in the shootout. She moves to 8-7-4 on the year. Her counterpart, Heather Kaluzniak, made three saves in the tie.
St. Thomas will now travel across town to Minneapolis to take on Augsburg College in the MIAC Playoff Semifinals tomorrow night at Edor Nelson Field at 7:00 p.m.
Team Stats
Alyssa Hoffman (7)
Penalty kick
74:51
Kate Steuer
GOAL by USTW Kate Steuer.
88:26
