The top-seeded Georgia Gwinnett College women's soccer team went to the limit to experience postseason success Friday night, defeating Viterbo University 4-3 in a penalty kick shootout in the semifinal round of the Association of Independent Institutions women's soccer championship tournament at the Grizzly Soccer Complex.

The nationally ranked Grizzlies (13-3-2) forced overtime, at 2-2, by scoring a goal in the final two minutes of regulation time. Junior Caitlin Berry found the back of the net for the equalizer, set up after junior Maddy Keenan, the 2017 A.I.I. Newcomer of the Year, dribbled to the edge of the 18-yard box.

After two scoreless overtime sessions, GGC successfully converted on all of its four attempts in the penalty kick shootout. Viterbo missed the goal on the first try of the win-take-all extra session, and sophomore goalkeeper Sophie Hoare made a save on the fourth attempt to seal the victor for the tournament hosts.

Viterbo, the tournament's No. 4 seed, took a 2-1 lead in the 83rd minute of regulation with a goal by Lexie Reesman.

After a scoreless first half, GGC senior Dominique Fletcher gave her team a 1-0 lead in the 54th minute. An own goal in the 58th minute squared the match for Viterbo.

GGC held a 32-to-10 shot advantage and attempted 12 corner kicks.

Turning Point

Trailing 2-1 late in regulation, the Grizzlies were pushing the pace of play in search of the equalizing goal. In the 89th minute, junior Caitlin Berry got in the six-yard box and was on the receiving end of a crossing pass from junior Maddy Keenan. She pushed the ball into the net to square the match at 2-2. GGC used the momentum to create several scoring chances in the overtime, with no goals, and eventually won the match in the penalty kick shootout.

Goals

54' – Georgia Gwinnett Dominique Fletcher (Lauren Moss)

58' – Viterbo Own Goal

83' – Viterbo Lexie Reesman (unassisted)

89' – Georgia Gwinnett Caitlin Berry (Maddy Keenan, Ana Gonzalez)

Inside The Numbers

• GGC held a commanding 32-to-10 shot advantage in the match, including having 16 shots on goal.
• The Grizzlies attempted 12 of the 14 corner kicks between the two teams over the 110 minutes of action.
• GGC recorded its second victory in the A.I.I. Soccer Championship in program history.
• The team made all four of its penalty kicks in the shootout.

News & Notes

• GGC stands 13-3-2 on the season, while Viterbo ends the season with a 5-8-4 record.
• Friday's match was the first meeting between the two colleges.
• GGC is hosting the A.I.I. soccer championships for the third time.
• The Grizzlies are ranked No. 20 in the NAIA Top 25 poll.

Up Next

Georgia Gwinnett College advances to the championship match Saturday, Nov. 11, at 7 p.m. from the Grizzly Soccer Complex. The winner will represent the A.I.I. in the NAIA national tournament.