LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. -- Jenn Amaro stopped one penalty in extra time and another during the PK shootout before slotting home the game-winning PK to deliver the Bellevue University women's soccer team to the 2022 Continental Athletic Conference Championship in penalties after playing to a 1-1 draw with Georgia Gwinnett College through 110 minutes.
With the result officially going down as a draw, Bellevue's record is now 13-3-2 and Georgia Gwinnett moves to 5-7-7.
The tournament title is Bellevue's ninth conference tournament championship in program history and their first since winning the 2016 North Star title.
BU 1, GGC 1 (BU def. GGC 3-2 on PKs)
With the game scoreless in the 72nd minute Claudia Gallegos sent a free kick into the box that Matilda Johansson came out to grab. As Johansson was in the process of securing the ball, one of her defenders clipped the ball with her thigh and back into the net for an own goal and a 1-0 Bellevue lead.
Kyara Armenta equalized in the 85th minute, receiving a long ball from Vanna Darrell and dribbling into the box to beat keeper Jenn Amaro one-on-one and force extra time.
In the first extra time period, Kendra Davis unleashed a dangerous shot for GGC which rippled the net but did so from the outside, just missing the target.
Just moments later, Amaro came up with the save of the game stopping a penalty from Aurora Miglio to keep the game level.
GGC sprung another breakaway in the 99th minute that caught Amaro off her line but a great defensive recovery effort by Bellevue prevented the Grizzlies from getting a shot off.
Neither team came especially close to scoring in the second extra time period as the game advanced to penalty kicks.
| GGC | Maria Rivera | GOAL | GGC, 1-0 |
| BU | Ximena Jauregui | GOAL | tied, 1-1 |
| GGC | Addie Adame | post | tied, 1-1 |
| BU | Sami Reding | crossbar | tied, 1-1 |
| GGC | Sage Andersson | GOAL | GGC, 2-1 |
| BU | Maddy Vasquez | save | GGC, 2-1 |
| GGC | Miranda Robinson | high | GGC, 2-1 |
| BU | Kaycee Driever | GOAL | tied, 2-2 |
| GGC | Pernilla Westergren | save | tied, 2-2 |
| BU | Jenn Amaro | GOAL | BU, 3-2 |
Four Bruins were named to the CAC All-Tournament team. Morgan McIlnay earned Most Outstanding Player honors and was joined on the team by Ketlyn Rota, Millie Hopkisson, and Jenn Amaro.
Player of the Match:
Coach Tom White:
"There were so many standout performances tonight and we could talk about each individual on and off the field. We are so proud of what they've achieved so far this year. Let's keep going and enjoying the moment."
Up Next:
The Bruins will learn the Opening Round opponent when seeds and pairings are announced on Monday's Selection Show. The NAIA Opening Round will begin Thursday, Nov. 17 with the winners meeting one another on Saturday, Nov. 19 for the right to advance to the final site.
