Abilene, Texas - Hardin-Simmons' seventh-ranked women's soccer team defeated 16th-ranked Pomona-Pitzer 3-0 on Saturday afternoon in the first round of the NCAA Division III women's soccer championship at the HSU Soccer Complex.

The Cowgirls and the Sagehens of Pomona-Pitzer battled to a scoreless first half. Although the Cowgirls out shot the Sagehens by a wide margin of 15-1 they couldn't find the back of the net as Pomona-Pitzers' goalkeeper, Kelsyn Bevins, played well and recorded five saves.

The Cowgirls finally got on board in the second half when Kelly Watson sent a wonderful cross into the box and Laura Newbrough headed it pass Bevins for her fourth goal of the season. The goal came just under five minutes into the second half at the 49:32 minute mark.

Mindi Zamora, the Cowgirls leading goal scorer, increased the one goal lead when she got past the keeper in stride and chipped it in the net for her 14th goal of the year. Whitney Piendak got credit for the assist.

Zamora added another goal for the day when she received a penalty kick and stripped it past Bevins.

This was the ninth shutout in a row for the Cowgirls. Junior goalkeeper April Johnson had four saves for the match as HSU recorded its 15th shutout.

The Cowgirls improved their overall record to 20-1-0 on the year and Pomona-Pitzer ended their season with an 11-5-3 record.

With the win the Cowgirls advanced in the NCAA Tournament to play Trinity, who won the second game of the day when they defeated University of Dallas 2-0.

--Chad Grubbs