Abilene, TX - Hardin-Simmons' women's soccer team advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division III Women's Soccer Championships by defeating Trinity 4-2 in penalty kicks after a 0-0 tie, Wednesday afternoon at the HSU Soccer Complex.

The Cowgirls' Christi Carr earned her reputation in the NCAA Tournament a year ago when she won a pair of games with saves in the penalty kick shoot out. She built on her legend with two more big saves today in PKs as the Cowgirls advanced past Trinity for the third time in four years.

"Our girls just showed their heart, they really believe in themselves as a team," said HSU head coach Marcus Wood. "We have been through so much adversity with our injury situation, but the girls that go out there are able to fight on for the good of the team. They play as well as a group as any team I have had. I could not be prouder of this team."

The game was tight throughout and Trinity had more shots 15-9 and each team had five shots on goal. There were only about two good scoring chances for each team in the game.

HSU's backline did not let the more athletic Tigers behind them.

In the shoot out, Becca Gault, Morgan Loyd, Katie Allen, and Laura Newbrough all made their kicks for HSU and Jennifer Wray and Claire Edwards each connected for Trinity, but Carr came up with a stop on Brianna Young on Trinity's second kick and then on the fourth kick she punched away a Jessica Koenig shot.

"That is why she is an All-American," said Wood of Carr. "She lives for those situations when the game is up to her and she was chomping at the bit to get between the pipes. I wouldn't trade her for any keeper in America."

The game is officially recorded as a tie and HSU is 19-1-1 on the year. Trinity closes its season with a record of 13-3-2. HSU will play at Emory University in Atlanta on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. CST.

Chad Grubbs