KISSIMMEE, Fla. – The OUAZ women's soccer team almost squandered a chance to reach the championship game of the 2019 NCCAA National Championship before punching their ticket in penalties after Campbellsville rallied to officially earn a 3-3 draw in Friday's semifinals.
OUAZ (15-7-1) scored the first three goals of the game and appeared to be on their way to the title game with little worry.
Cassidi Calzaretta put the Spirit in front 1-0 in the 15th minute after her shot deflected off a defender and went into the goal for her fourth goal of the tournament.
Sarah Inafuku then made it 2-0 in the 47th minute with a brilliant strike from 40 yards out that went right over the leaping keeper and under the crossbar. She then added a second goal of the game in the 52nd minute after taking a touch on ball played by Kiiaweau Aweau.
Just when OUAZ felt they had things under control, Campbellsville (13-6-2) mounted a furious comeback. The Tigers scored two goals in 67 seconds to cut their deficit to one in the 72nd minute. They then found the equalizer in the 86th minute by converting a penalty kick.
OUAZ keeper Kysten Caballero made a pair of saves in the first 10-minute overtime period and
Saipress Jones was turned away late in that same period for the Spirit. Neither team had a shot on goal in the second 10-minute session.
Caballero gave the Spirit a huge advantage in the penalties by making a save of each of the first two attempts by the Tigers. The first came after
Chandler Schioppi gave the Spirit an early 1-0 advantage, and then Caballero made the advantage hold up after
Juliet Hufford's attempt was off target.
Kalleigh Gibadlo and
Logan Maszton would each convert their penalty attempts for OUAZ and were matched by the two shooters for Campbellsville. Knowing a goal would send the Spirit into the finals,
Crystal Carroll put her shot inside the right post, setting off the celebration from the Spirit.
Campbellsville ended the game with a 22-14 advantage in total shots with OUAZ getting six of their attempts on goal.
Caballero tied her season-high with seven saves during the course of play. This was the third multi-goal game of the season for Inaufku and her first since August 30. Calzaretta now has a point in every game of the tournament and nine points total.
OUAZ will face Cedarville – a NCAA Division II team from Ohio – in the championship game on Saturday. First touch is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. (Arizona). More information on a viewing party will be made available on Saturday.
