Tigers Edge Out the Broncos in 3-1 PK Shootout

(Williamsburg, KY) – The Hastings Broncos brought confidence to the NAIA Tournament opening round game following their GPAC Tournament Championship, ultimately losing 3-1 in penalty kicks in a 1-1 double-overtime match to the Olivia Nazarene Tigers on a cold and windy Thursday afternoon.

The Broncos saved a couple of shots in the 11th and 12th minutes of the first half as freshman Tatiana Villasenor stopped both tries. Hastings had its first scoring opportunity of the game in the 25th minute, but senior Dekota Schubert's header off a cross was just high. Minutes later, senior Megan Lampe misfired on a shot.

In the 41st minute, Hastings goalkeeper Tatiana Villasenor made a save, but was unable to maintain control and the Tigers took advantage to go up 1-0 at halftime. Hastings was outshot 4-3 in the first half and 3-1 on shots on goal. Senior Grace Henry recorded the lone shot on goal for the Broncos in the 35th minute, while Lampe and Schubert each had a shot attempt.

Five minutes into the second half, Lampe had her shot saved by the Tigers, but they maintained possession with a corner kick. Lampe's pass was knocked down by Schubert in the box and after she gained full control, she kicked it past the Tiger goalkeeper to tie it up at 1-1.

Hastings had a wonderful opportunity in the 59th minute with multiple scoring chances. Henry and senior Allison Seery each had shots saved by Olivet Nazarene in the frantic scramble right in front of the net, keeping the match deadlocked at one.

Freshman Madison Rhodes had a header miss high, then Schubert kicked a great ball that was saved by the Tigers in the 84th minute. In the 88th minute, a free kick from Lampe was played into Henry, whose shot was saved again in the final attempt of regulation. Hastings controlled the possession most of the half, outshooting the Tigers 9-1 on shots and 6-1 on shots on goal, but the score remained 1-1 to send it to overtime.

Junior Jesse Chartier's header off the Lampe corner kick sailed just high in the second minute of overtime. Then in the 96th minute, a rocket kick from Henry was tipped up and over the crossbar by the Tigers. Seery's shot from the top of the box was saved in the 98th minute, as the match went to a second overtime.

The second overtime featured few shot attempts as the teams battled through the fatigue of the long match. Henry had a shot save in the 105th minute, then Seery had a one-on-one opportunity with the goalkeeper in the 108th minute, but her shot sailed high. In the final minute of the second overtime Hastings had a corner kick but could not get a shot off, sending the game to penalty kicks.

In the penalty kick, Schubert missed the first shot wide and the Tigers made their first kick. Lampe missed the second shot off the post for Hastings off the post and the Tigers converted on theirs to go up 2-0. Freshman Cora Derby had her shot saved on Hastings' third attempt, but Villasenor saved the third Tiger kick to keep the Broncos hopes alive. Lopez put one in for the Broncos on their fourth attempt, but Olivet Nazarene made their fourth attempt to win the shootout, 3-1.

For the match, Hastings outshot the Tigers 17-6 and 9-5 on shots on goal. Henry and Schubert took four shots for the Broncos, while Seery took three, and Lampe and junior Millie Gell each took two shots. Villasenor had four saves for the Broncos.

The loss ends the season for the Broncos with a 15-1-6 record, winners of both the GPAC regular season and GPAC tournament titles.