ELMHURST, Ill. - The Elmhurst University women's soccer team advanced to the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) Tournament championship match for the first time since the tournament began in 2002, edging Carroll 5-4 in a penalty shootout Wednesday at Langhorst Field.
The Bluejays outshot Carroll (4-7-9) 13-1 and put nine shots on goal, but the match remained scoreless through the regulated halves and two overtime periods. Ellie Muscarello hit the crossbar in the first overtime, and Erin Fitzharris saved Carroll's lone shot in the second.
Sequoia Ross took over in goal for the shootout, and Carroll missed its opening attempt. Kelli Coughlin and Nora Simon converted Elmhurst's (14-4-1) first two kicks to give the Bluejays a 2-1 lead. Carroll tied it in the third round, and after a missed attempt for the blue and white, the Pioneers converted again to go ahead 3-2. Erin Fitzharris answered to tie it at 3-3, and Courtney Conlon matched Carroll's fifth-round goal to send the shootout to sudden death at 4-4.
Carroll missed its sixth attempt, giving Emily Herlihy a chance to clinch it. Herlihy converted to give Elmhurst a 5-4 shootout victory and send the Bluejays to their first CCIW Tournament championship match.
Up Next: Elmhurst will face North Central in the CCIW Tournament Championship at 1 p.m. in Naperville, Ill., on Saturday, Nov. 7.
