Women's Soccer | 11/3/2009 9:43:48 PM

WINCHESTER, Va. - The USA South First Round Tournament game between Methodist and Shenandoah officially ended in a tie, but the Monarchs prevailed 3-1 in penalty kicks to advance to the semifinal on Friday.

Neither team scored through the first 45 minutes with Shenandoah (10-6-5) out shooting the Monarchs (9-9-2) 7-1. Methodist even came up with a header off the goal line to preserve the early shutout. Shenandoah scored the first goal of the game with a goal from Amber Womack in the 68th minute. Less than three minutes later, Methodist senior Erica Nath cracked a ball towards the center of the 18 where a Shenandoah player misplayed it into the Hornets goal for the tie game. Regulation finished with the score tied at one to signal two 10-minute overtime periods.

Methodist out shot the Hornets 3-2 during overtime, but with the game still tied, penalty kicks would decide the team to advance in the tournament. Methodist junior Kelly Orpin set the tone with a solid shot to the side netting for the 1-0 lead. The next three shooters missed with both goalkeepers picking up a save. Methodist sophomore Danielle Minichello gave the Monarchs a 2-0 lead with a goal before Womack moved the Hornets within one through the first three rounds. Methodist senior Michelle Anderson nailed a shot to score the Monarchs third goal for the 3-1 lead and after the next Shenandoah shot hit post, Methodist had secured the 3-1 win.

Methodist goalkeeper finished with seven saves through regulation while Shenandoah's Kat Terza also made seven stops.

The Monarchs advance to face top-seeded Meredith on Friday in the semifinals of the USA South Tournament at the Smith River Sports Complex in Martinsville, Va.

Box Score

Tournament Web Site