Courtesy Hardin-Simmons University Sports Information Department

WHEATON, Ill. — Hardin-Simmons moved on to the sectional finals of the NCAA Division III Women’s Soccer Championship after tying UC-Santa Cruz 0-0 and advancing in a shootout (4-1), Friday evening at Wheaton College.

The Cowgirls had several scoring opportunities in the game, putting eight shots on target but could not find the net in 110 minutes of game action. HSU outshot the Banana Slugs 8-6 on goal and UCSC led in shots 15-12.

However, it was the goalkeepers that were up to the task. Katie Loomis had eight saves for UCSC and Cowgirl freshman Christi Carr was equal to the task with six saves.

It was the shootout where the Cowgirls’ freshman keeper came up the biggest. She saved two shots and the Cowgirls connected on all four shots to win the shootout and advance to the Sectional finals for the first time in school history. Amy Kuykendall, Whitney Piendak, Ali Baker and Morgan Loyd all connected in the shootout.

HSU won its second game of the playoffs in penalty kicks and improved to 18-0-5 on the year. UCSC ended its season with a record of 17-0-4 and allowed only three goals all season.

HSU will play Wheaton at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday for the right to advance to go to the Final Four.