Back to Back: IU Kokomo wins second-straight RSC Women's Soccer Championship over Rio Grande
Back to Back: IU Kokomo wins second-straight RSC Women's Soccer Championship over Rio Grande
From IU Kokomo sports information:
KOKOMO, Ind. - The Indiana University Kokomo women's soccer team battled University of Rio Grande in the River States Conference Women's Soccer Championship for a second-consecutive year, with the Cougars coming out on top yet again.
Unlike last year's 7-1 win, Saturday's match featured zero goals across regulation and two overtime periods, sending the match to penalty kick's.
IU Kokomo dominated the opening half from a possession standpoint, outshooting Rio Grande 13-5 and 6-1 in shots on goal in the opening 45 minutes.
While the second half also finished scoreless, it was Rio Grande who out-shot the Cougars. IUK goalkeeper Sydney Miller was forced to make six saves to the RedStorm's two in the final 45 minutes of regulation.
Neither one of the two overtime periods featured dangerous scoring chances, but Keely Hoopingarner sent a shot high while Rio failed to convert on two corner kicks across the 20 minutes of overtime action.
With the match headed to penalty kicks, both teams would send five players to the PK spot. The RedStorm converted their first opportunity, but IU Kokomo's Brooklyn Garber answered to even the score 1-1.
In the second round, Sydney Miller made a save on Albano's PK attempt, opening the door for the Cougars to take a lead. Proven sophomore Kaiya Bogers beat the Rio goalie for a 2-1 lead through two rounds.
Rio responded with a goal in the third round, but IUK's goal-scoring leader, Keely Hoopingarner, calmly scored for a 3-2 lead.
Miller would make her second save in PK's in the fourth round, giving the Cougars an opportunity to win the match in round four with a goal. Defender Jade Allen was called upon in round four with the match on the line, where she would make her PK attempt to give IUK the title in PK's, 4-2.
River States Conference Defensive Player of the Year Sydney Miller was stellar in net for IU Kokomo, making eight saves in regulation as well as a pair in PK's, propelling the Cougars to victory. The IU Kokomo defense in front of Miller impressed, just as they have throughout the squad's 15-match unbeaten streak.
The Cougars will find out where they are headed for the opening round of the NAIA National Championship Monday, as the women's soccer selection show is set for 1:00 PM EST.