The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
13-3-3 (5-3-1Big12)
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Kansas
11-5-3 (5-4Big 12)
No. 17 Soccer eliminates Kansas from the Big 12 quarters in a PK shootout
10.29.2018 | Soccer
Following a 0-0 (2OT) tie, the Longhorns prevailed in the shootout round over the Jayhawks, 3-1
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The match will go in the record books as a 0-0 (2OT) tie, but it certainly felt like a win for third-seeded Texas soccer (13-3-3) on Sunday night in Big 12 Championship quarterfinal action at Swope Soccer Village, as the Longhorns "survived and advanced" past sixth-seeded Kansas in a penalty kick shootout, 3-1.
After the teams battled to a scoreless draw over 110 minutes of action, junior goalkeeper Nicole Curry made two huge saves in the shootout for the Burnt Orange & White, while junior defender Emma Jett, senior midfielder Kayra Dollas and junior forward Cyera Hintzen all stepped up to score from the spot as UT made three of its four penalties.
With the shootout victory, Texas now moves on to face second-seeded West Virginia in Kansas City during the Big 12 Championship semifinals on Fri., Nov. 2, at 7 p.m. CT.
In Sunday's contest, the Jayhawks out-shot the Longhorns by a 22-16 total and led 5-4 in shots on goal, while UT managed an 8-4 advantage in corner kicks.
Texas registered the match's first chance just 1:34 in as a pass found Hintzen about nine yards out at the left post, but her eventual shot from a sharp angle went high.
With both teams having trouble locating the final pass, it took until the 17:42 mark for either goalkeeper to be forced into action. KU forward Katie McClure found some space on the right side of the 18 and unleashed a shot from a tough angle, but her nine-yard effort was parried away on a Curry dive to her right and cleared.
During the 24th minute off a Texas corner, a ball bounced back out front to Dollas who tried a quick volley only to have her 14-yard try go just high.
With opportunities at a premium over the opening 45 minutes, the two teams eventually retreated to the halftime break with Texas up 4-3 in shots and tied at 1-1 in shots on frame.
Out of the break, the match really opened up as the squads combined for 23 second-half shot attempts. At 48:58 sophomore midfielder Haley Berg had a ball drop at her feet about 15 yards out. The Celina, Texas, native unleashed a blast, but it proved right at KU keeper Sarah Peters.
Texas had another opportunity at 57:11 as Hintzen battled to win a ball on the left wing before crossing into the middle. The pass traveled over everyone to Berg in some space, but her quick 10-yard volley went just high.
The Jayhawks continued to create numerous opportunities of their own as forward Katie McClure had a 15-yard shot from out on the right side venture just outside the right post at 70:18.
KU midfielder Kaycie Young forced Curry back into action at 73:30 as her shot from the right side had to be tipped up and over the crossbar.
Texas nearly created some late magic during the 86th minute as senior forward Alexa Adams almost broke in 1-v-1 against Peters only to have a last second Kansas defensive tackle break up the opportunity.
Kansas dominated the first overtime to the tune of a 4-0 shot advantage. During the final minute of the first extra session, UT freshman defender Emma Regan made arguably the play of the match. The Vancouver, British Columbia, native was stationed at the left post on a corner kick and used her right foot to deflect away a potential goal off a 15-yard volley by KU midfielder Ceri Holland.
The Longhorns turned the tables in the second OT as Berg had a shot blocked at 105:51 before Hintzen sent a 14-yard effort over the crossbar at 106:01. With just four seconds remaining in the contest, Hintzen tried one more shot, but her 18-yard drive traveled right into Peters' hands.
Kansas went first in the shootout with its initial PK getting stopped by Curry on a dive to her right. Jett stepped up and banged her try home to give UT a quick lead.
Both teams made their spot kicks during the second round, with Dollas scoring for Texas, while in the third round, the Jayhawks missed their try outside the left post and UT's effort was saved.
Finally, during the decisive fourth round, Curry again came up with a big stop, while Hintzen banged her PK home to complete the shootout triumph.
