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Mattie Mielke Taking Corner
Mitch Huppert
0
Kenyon KEN (7-2-8, 3-1-3)
0
Denison DEN (8-2-6, 4-0-3)
Kenyon KEN
(7-2-8, 3-1-3)
0
Final
0
Denison DEN
(8-2-6, 4-0-3)
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 OT 1 OT 2 OT 3 F
Kenyon KEN 0 0 0 0 0 0
Denison DEN 0 0 0 0 0 0

Game Recap: Women's Soccer |

Women’s Soccer Sets Up NCAC Tournament Final Rematch After Thrilling Shootout Win

Granville, Ohio - After 110 minutes of scoreless play, the Denison women's soccer team was able to prevail in penalty kicks against Kenyon, 3-1, in the NCAC Tournament semifinals at Kienzle-Hylbert Stadium. The Big Red made three straight penalty kicks from Cassie Classen, Clare Mone, and the winner from Mattie Mielke to get it done. 

The Big Red tried to get rolling early, as Lucy Perkins had a nice shot opportunity in the early minutes of play from Neda Abedi, but it was blocked by a Kenyon defender. The Owls kept it on the Big Red defensive side for a good portion of the first half, firing off a couple of quick shots but could not find the back of the net.

Both teams traded blows across the pitch, creating a defensive duel reminiscent of their regular-season result. Goalkeeper Caroline Hague had an impressive save in goal in the 35th minute, preserving the zero and ultimately for both teams to end the first half

Kenyon led in total shots in the first half, 10-5, and in shots on target 4-2. The Owls also got to the corner three times in comparison to the Big Red's one. Hague was active in goal, saving four Owls' attempts.

The second half started off in favor of the Owls, creating offensive opportunities, but the Big Red held it down on the defensive end. Brimmer Mather had a shot opportunity in the box, but could not connect. Abedi and Perkins created some opportunities, but could not connect.

Both teams had chances with under 25 minutes remaining, as Josie Russell had a nice shot from mid-range, but was unable to connect. In the final minutes of regulation, both squads could not capitalize, forcing the match to go into overtime. At the end of both halves, both teams were almost equal in shots, with the Owls leading 14-13 and shots on goal 6-4.

In the first overtime, the Big Red had some shots, as Mattie Mielke fired one down the center of the pipes, but it was saved. The Owls had two incredible chances down the stretch but came up unlucky, sending the match into a second overtime, bringing little action, and then into penalty kicks. This was the first time since 2013 that Denison went to penalty kicks.

In the first round of the shootout, both the Owls and Big Red were unsuccessful, as Hague made a diving stop to keep the pens at zero. In round two, Hague was nailed, stopping another attempt in the bottom right corner to give the Big Red much-needed momentum. Cassie Classen delivered, making her shot in the upper bin to go up 1-0. The Owls responded, but Clare Mone kept the Big Red up by one with her strike, 2-1. 

The next attempt from the Owls went high, leaving it to Mattie Mielke to seal the deal for the Big Red. Lining up her shot, there was no doubt as she laced the upper left corner to send Denison to their second consecutive NCAC Tournament Final.

Mielke and Abedi led the team in shots on goal, and Hague had the most impressive performance, saving seven shots and saving three in penalty kicks.

This will be the third time in four seasons that Denison will make an appearance in the NCAC Tournament Final.

Up Next for the Big Red

Denison will host John Carroll in a rematch of last year's NCAC Tournament Final on Saturday, November 7, at 1 pm at Kienzle-Hylbert Stadium.
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