William Carey women's soccer falls in penalty shootout in national championship game
William Carey women’s soccer’s magical season ended in heartbreak on Tuesday.
The Lady Crusaders (24-1) fell in penalty kicks to Cumberlands (Kentucky) in the NAIA National Championship in Foley, Alabama. The game was tied 1-1 after regulation and two overtime periods.
William Carey got behind in the 27th minute, but forced overtime on a goal from sophomore midfielder Virginia Mesa in the 87th minute.
W⚽️
WE ARE HEADED TO OVERTIME!! @CareyAthletics grabbed the equalizer in the 87th minute to tie the championship match at 1-1!
The #BattleForTheRedBanner isn't over yet! Follow the action!
📊 ->https://t.co/wuKjAiUbze
📺 ->https://t.co/L5CYp5mz5f#collegesoccer #NAIAWSoccer pic.twitter.com/2CFD6Fh0zs— NAIA (@NAIA) December 5, 2023
The penalty shootout lasted five rounds, with Cumberland (18-1-3) taking it 3-2 on a winning kick from Samantha Sokolove.
Penalty kicks: after round 5:
William Carey: ❌❌ ❌✅✅
Cumberlands: ✅❌❌✅✅
Patriots are the 2023 NAIA National Champions!!!!! pic.twitter.com/2t9JulH844— UC Women's Soccer (@UCWSOC) December 5, 2023
The loss ended a dominant season in which William Carey, led by coach Danny Owens, outscored its opponents 146-22. The 146 goals were the tops in the country, 55 more than the next best Tennessee Wesleyan (91). Junior forward Christian Salmon led the Lady Crusaders with 26 goals, tied for the sixth most in the country.
It was William Carey’s fifth trip to the national championship game since 2018. It won the title that year, but has now fallen either in overtime or penalty kicks in each of its last three appearances.
Sam Sklar is the Southern Miss beat reporter for the Hattiesburg American. Email him at ssklar@hattiesb.gannett.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.
This article originally appeared on Hattiesburg American: William Carey women's soccer loses in national championship game
