WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Oregon Tech saw their women's soccer season ended in the first-round of the NAIA National Championships, as Tennessee Wesleyan converted a second chance at a second half penalty kick to earn a 1-0 victory.
The Lady Owls (15-6-1) had a chance to take a lead to the locker room, as off a 42nd minute corner kick, a deflected ball found the foot of Brianna Lewis at the top of the 18-yard-box. A looping right-footed drive clanged off the crossbar – right into the hands of TWU keeper Laia Roch Font.
The turning point was in the 57th minute, as Bulldogs (15-1-3) leading scorer Krista Eik Hardardottir was clipped just inside the box by the Owls Carly Moss, awarding TWU a penalty. Eik Hardardottir stepped to the spot and drove an attempt to the left corner – which was stuffed by OIT keeper Sydni Nakamura. Unfortunately for Tech, the assistant referee stated Nakamura left her line early – giving the Bulldogs a second chance – which Lauryn Smith tucked into the right corner of the net for the lone goal of the match.
OIT had two chances inside the final 10 minutes – a 25-yard shot attempt by Jaylee Curran that was stopped by Font, and a corner kick that was turned away by the TWU defense.
Both teams finished with nine total shots and three corners.
"We are obviously gutted for the ladies," said OIT head coach Tom Moore. "This senior class was outstanding and they've done a great job paving the way for what's to come. I feel for them, I feel for the entire team. I felt like today was a game that could go either way. We were very unfortunate on the PK call and even tougher once Sydni made the save - to then have to do it all over again. The team accomplished a lot of goals and I thoroughly enjoyed watching this team play the way they did. Very proud of them all."
Tech became the first team in 2024 to hold Eik Hardardottir without a point – as the Bulldogs leading scorer had tallied either a goal or an assist in every match this season.
TWU advances to the second-round, meeting host Keiser on Saturday.