WOMEN’S SOCCER SEASON ENDS IN HEARTBREAKING FASHION IN KCAC SEMIFINALS

WICHITA, Kan. – One of the best seasons in Avila women's soccer history ended after midnight early Saturday morning in penalty kicks in the KCAC Semifinals to York.

A game featuring a pair of early goals and then huge goalkeeping play ended a full day of KCAC postseason soccer at the Stryker Sports Complex.

In the 17^th minute, newly-minted KCAC Newcomer of the Year Addison Yinger lined up for a free kick just inside the midfield stripe. The senior played a beautiful ball just outside the box to Sam Mendez, who arced a rainbow shot over the York goalkeeper's outstretched gloves into the top of the net.

The Eagles had an early 1-0 lead.

However, in the 27^th minute, York's defensive pressure turned into quick offense.

The Panthers applied heavy pressure to the Avila back line following a goal kick. York stole the ball away from an Avila center back, crossed it into the box where Gracie Reynolds headed the ball into the far corner to even the scoreline up.

The teams would remain scoreless for the next nearly 90 minutes of gameplay thanks to stellar goalkeeping form both teams.

Avila's defense held York to six shots in the second half and two overtime periods, while Kenan Ebel finished the match with five saves.

The teams entered the first overtime period exhausted as the clock neared midnight.

Two shots on goal in the first 10-minute period didn't go Avila's way as the two teams strapped in for the second overtime period.

Avila's lone shot of the second overtime period went wide off of Joselyn Clark's foot before Ebel made a game-saving stop in the 108^th minute.

One hundred ten minutes were not enough for the KCAC rivals as York and Avila headed for penalty kicks to see who would advance to face Friends in the KCAC Finals on Wednesday.

The first five total shots in the shootout were made before Avila's Mendez – the first-half goal-scorer – had her shot attempt hit the crossbar.

Kenan Ebel made a save on York's fifth attempt to force extra shooters to come to the spot.

Mia Yerian knocked down Avila's sixth attempt, followed by another York make. With the season on the line, Mackenzie Baxley's shot attempt also hit the crossbar, giving York the 5-4 shootout win to advance to the championship game.

Avila ends their season 13-3-4, their highest win total since the 2013-14 campaign.

The Eagled finished their 20-game season with eight players who recorded multiple goals and seven players notching two or more assists. Avila's 13 wins saw seven different Eagles score game-winning goals, led by Yinger's four, plus three additional players with two or more GWGs.

Goalkeeper Kenan Ebel played every minute of the season in net, finishing with a 0.99 GAA and eight shutouts on the season.