ADA, Ohio – Centre women's soccer saw its season come to an abrupt end Saturday afternoon, as Scranton advanced on penalty kicks in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament at Ohio Northern University.
 
The No. 5/10 Colonels (21-0-1) and Royals (11-5-4) took fans on a roller coaster ride for 110 minutes, as both sides saw certain victory escape in the waning minutes of regulation.
 
But Scranton edged Centre in the shootout, 5-4, moving on to meet the host Polar Bears in Sunday's second round.
 
HIGHLIGHTS
- Both sides struggled to piece much together in the opening half as wind chills made the temperature feel like 30 degrees.
- Scranton took advantage of a corner kick late in the first period, however, as Claire Sites cleaned up a loose ball after multiple stops by the Colonel defense to make it 1-0 at the half.
- The Colonels maintained possession and offensive pressure for most of the second half, and eventually it paid off. After a big defensive save from the Royals, Brooke Smithson found space inside the box and hit the back of the net with under eight minutes to play.
- Just minutes later, Alana Hughes found Sarah Sirkin with a pinpoint assist, giving Centre a 2-1 lead in the late stages of the match.
- The Royals had an answer, though, as Hope Drewes converted a header off a corner just 36 seconds after the restart.
- The 20 extra minutes weren't enough to separate the sides, as Scranton's keeper Amanda Steinberg made three saves to help preserve the tie and force penalty kicks.
- Steinberg proved to be the difference in PKs, as well, as she came up with the decisive save in a close 5-4 shootout.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Centre had a slight edge in shots (17-13) and shots on goal (9-6), while Scranton finished with a 7-3 advantage in corner kick opportunities. Hughes had five total shots to pace all individuals.
- Jonelle Barron had four saves for the Colonels.