Tartans Complete Season in NCAA Quarterfinal

(PITTSBURGH, Pa.) - The Carnegie Mellon University and Emory University women's soccer teams played to another scoreless tie, this time in the quarterfinal round of the 2012 NCAA Division III Women's Soccer Championship on Sunday, November 18. The Eagles won the penalty kick shootout 11-10 to advance to the national semifinal.

Both teams had a few threatening opportunities that were cleared by the defenses as Carnegie Mellon junior keeper Anna Albi (Cincinnati, Ohio/Summit Country Day) made three saves and Emory senior keeper Erica Stein made one.

In the 30th minute, Albi made two saves in a matter of seconds as Emory sophomores Emily Feldman and Kaelyn Lucas tested the defense and Albi with shots inside 10 yards and in traffic.

Carnegie Mellon junior Alex Venegas (Los Angeles, Calif./Harvard-Westlake) had the team's first shot of the half when she took her space in the center of the field but Emory stepped forward and blocked her attempt. The clearance that followed was sent back at the goal by senior Stephanie Hare (Atlanta, Ga./The Westminster Schools) but Stein grabbed it wide of the goal.

Albi made another point-blank save in the 42nd minute off a shot by Jennifer Grant while Stein made a save in the 44th minute off a shot by freshman Amanda Broderick (Audubon, Pa./Methacton).

The Tartans got into their offensive third early in the second period as a shot by sophomore Savina Reid (Briarcliff Manor, N.Y./Briarcliff) was wide. A free kick by junior Rachel Contopoulos (Oakland, Calif./Berkeley) was headed right at the upper 90 but Kaele Leonard made the save for the Eagles.

In the 66th minute, a give-and-go along the sideline between Feldman and Katy Kruse resulted in a breakaway by Feldman. The Tartan defense was able to put the pressure on her and her shot low to the near post was saved by Albi.

Hare had two shots for the Tartans lasered at the net from distance but both were grabbed by Leonard.

The Eagle's final shot of the half came off the foot of Greta Jochmann but was wide in the 85th minute.

After two shotless overtime periods play continued with the shootout.

Thirteen penalty kicks later, the Eagles prevailed after Grant hit the back of the net with the deciding strike.

Leonard made two saves for the Eagles while Albi made one during the shootout.

The Eagles advance to the national semifinals to be played in San Antonio, Texas on November 30 and December 1.