Belhaven advanced to the CCS women’s soccer championship match for the third consecutive season, beating Asbury 4-1 in a penalty shootout Friday after a 2-2 draw through 110 minutes in Huntsville, Alabama.
Goalkeeper Addi Roberts made 10 saves during the match and stopped Asbury’s first two shootout attempts, from Milei Baker and Eva De Sousa. Abby Jordan scored Belhaven’s opening kick, and Kinsey Carter and Alexis Whiting also converted. Lauren Davis scored for Asbury before Mary McCardle sealed the win. Belhaven scored on all four of its attempts.
McCardle scored her first career goal 3:42 into the match to end Asbury’s four-match shutout streak. McKenzee Gregory made it 2-0 at 19:52, with assists from Whiting and Carter. Asbury cut the deficit to one just before halftime when Maggie Perry scored off a Lauren Davis pass following a corner kick.
Perry tied the match at 63:15, assisted by Davis and Anna Sparks. Roberts made saves on Julia Baker and Molly Spalding in the final eight minutes of regulation, then stopped three shots in overtime. Asbury led 24-8 in shots, 12-6 in shots on goal and 14-8 in corner kicks.
The defending champion Blazers were scheduled to play in the CCS final Saturday at 5 p.m. Central time in Huntsville. The conference tournament winner earns an automatic berth in the NCAA Division III Championship.
