Women's soccer defeated in Elite Eight shoot-out

By Jeremy Johnson
jjohn308@mscd.edu

The Metro women's soccer team's quest for a second-straight NCAA Division II championship came to end in a disappointing shoot-out loss in Seattle on Nov. 19 in the Elite Eight.

It was the second time an undefeated No.1-seeded Roadrunner team lost on penalty kicks in the quarterfinals in three years. After winning 21 regular-season games in 2003, Metro lost to the University of California, San Diego in the same manner.

Shannon Lovejoy buried the fifth of No. 2-seeded Seattle Pacific's penalty kicks after the game remained scoreless through two overtimes to advance the Falcons to the Division II Final Four in Wichita Falls, Texas.

"For those of us that have been around soccer for awhile, that's just how it is," Metro head coach Danny Sanchez said. "It was disappointing, yes, but I was very pleased with how we played and how we competed."

The Roadrunners were outshot for the first time this season. The Falcons posted a 20-9 advantage in shots on goal.

"It was a game fitting of one versus two," Sanchez said. "We knew it was going to be a one-goal game, but we came out on the wrong end of the penalty kicks."

With the victory, Seattle Pacific remains undefeated this season with a 19-0-4 record. Metro ended the season without a loss at 23-0-1, but their 46-game win streak comes to an end. Since the Metro defeat came via penalty kicks, the Roadrunners were not credited with a loss.

Junior forward Kylee Hanavan had the closest scoring attempt for the Roadrunners in the Nov. 19 game, pushing a 15-yard shot just right of the post in the 30th minute.

Metro's freshman goalkeeper Rachel Zollner posted three saves, while Seattle Pacific goalkeeper Jennifer Burns had four saves in her eighth shutout of the season.

The game marked the first time this year that the Roadrunners were shutout. Metro ranked tops in the nation with 97 goals.

Hanavan, the team's leading scorer this season, missed the second of Metro's penalty kicks after double-overtime. Anne Ormrod, Amy Leichliter, Kira Sharp and Jodi McGann all converted their penalty kicks but the solo miss proved costly.

"We wouldn't have been there without (Hanavan)," Sanchez said. "We win as a team and we lose as a team."

Hanavan finished the season sixth in Division II with 30 goals. Hanavan's prolific performance this season set Metro records in goals and points scored (71).

The Roadrunners' win streak was one of the longest in Division II women's soccer history, and despite the tie, Sanchez was quick to give credit where credit was due.

"We go out every game to win and they did that and you can't really ask for much more than that," Sanchez said. "The main thing is that I'm pleased after last year that there wasn't a letdown. They were still hungry and successful."

Metro was successful and has been since Sanchez took over as head coach four years ago. The 'Runners hope to continue that success next season as 15 players from this season's team could potentially return.

Not to mention, Sanchez has already begun scouting and is preparing for the Feb. 1 signing date for new recruits.

"Hopefully we can bring in some players that will carry on the torch that the seniors leaving have started and the momentum we have as a program."