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TWU
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Life > Athletics > Soccer > 11/3/05
LUNA SCORES GAME-WINNER IN SHOOTOUT
 EDMOND , Okla. – Sophomore Romy Luna hit the game-winner as Texas Woman’s University outscored Texas A&M-Commerce 5-4 in a shootout to move on to the semifinals of the Lone Star Conference Tournament on warm and windy afternoon at Tom Thompson Field.
The Pioneers and Lions played to a 2-2 tie in 90 minutes of regulation and the two 10 minute overtimes before the shootout. The victory was the first postseason win for TWU in the program’s four-year history.
Next, TWU (9-8-2)will face number one seed and host Central Oklahoma at 2:30 p.m. on Friday with the winner advancing into the championship game. The Bronchos are in the midst of a 13-game unbeaten streak.
“This was the longest game of my life. We had it in the bag with two minutes left in the game. Then, they got through on a corner,” head coach Fleur Benatar said. “Defensively we played really tough. Aly (Vincent) was tremendous in goal. Mandy (Lambert) was a super sub and everyone worked hard.”
TWU scored first with a Mandy Lambert goal at the 40:31 mark. Emily Meinen took the ball down the left side into the corner and crossed to Christine Hornisher. Her miskick rolled back to Lambert at the 18-yard line. Lambert one-touched a low hard shot into the far right corner where it hit the post and went in.
Commerce tied the game 47 seconds into the second half after a throw-in from the deep left corner. The ball bounced in front of the box drawing TWU goalie Vincent out as Melissa DoRemus scored.
The Pioneers reclaimed the lead with a Luna goal, her fifth of the year. Luna was in the right place as Lambert’s shot deflected off a Commerce defender to her. She shot low and to the left to beat the keeper.
The Lions tied the game again with less than two minutes remaining in regulation off a corner kick. The kick was put in the box and Tamara Geels scored unassisted.
 In the two overtime periods, the Pioneers defense was tested. Vincent had two of her seven saves as the Lions took six shots.
In the shootout, both teams made their first three attempts including TWU scores by Erica Butler, Natalie Grant and Amanda Odino. Vincent punch saved the fourth Commerce attempt to give TWU the advantage. After that Meinen and Jessica Pierce both made their penalty kicks. Lambert was the fifth shooter for the Pioneers but her shot hit the crossbar sending the shootout to sudden death.
Next, the Lions Heidi Eichinger missed on a shot that cleared the cross bar. Luna followed with the game-winner.
“We had already gone through four PKs. Aly saved one and Mandy hit off the crossbar,” Luna stated. “The sixth Commerce one went over than it was my turn. I knew what side, the right, I was going to and kicked it. I was happy it went in.”
The first game of the tournament between Midwestern State and Angelo State was decided in a shootout as well. The teams battled to a 2-2 draw before the Indians finally prevailed in the shootout. MSU faces West Texas A&M in the first semifinal on Friday at 12:00 p.m.
At the tournament banquet Thursday evening, TWU had seven players named to the all-conference team. Grant earned second team accolades and Melissa Scott, Meinen, Breann Morris, Melissa Williams, Sue Cribbes and Vincent were honorable mention selections. Benatar finished second to UCO’s Mike Cook for Coach of the Year honors.
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