Trailblazers Secure Victory with Penalty Kick in Scoreless Playoff Match

GODFREY - The Lewis and Clark Trailblazers battled the Indian Hills Warriors to a scoreless draw before emerging victorious in a penalty shootout during the second-round game of the NJCAA Central District playoffs on Sunday, October 22.

Freshman central defender Shelby Hawk, a former Collinsville High School player, scored the game-winning penalty kick.

"We knew this would be a difficult game,” said Head Coach Justin Bernaix. “In elimination games, the intensity rises, and the longer we went without scoring today, the more belief Indian Hills had. We had chances to put the game away early and didn't. They kept battling and looking to play on the counterattack."

It was a hard-fought contest, with both teams competing to extend their season for another week. Indian Hills collected one yellow card for Stephani Alves Talon (72:00), while L&C collected three for Alessia Navarro (22:00), Shelby Hawk (83:00) and Anae Roberts (88:00).

L&C controlled the game's tempo by holding the majority of the possession and limiting opportunities for the Warriors to attack, racking up ten shots on goal vs Indians Hill's three. They also saw the lion's share of opportunities to score with eight corner kicks in each half versus Indian Hill's solo corner kick in the second half.

"Reagan Chigas (Goalkeeper) had to come up with two big saves,” Bernaix said. “Their goalkeeper kept them in it as well and we kept pressing to score. Once it goes to penalties, it is left to chance. Our players and goalkeeper found a way to win it, though, and I feel it is a fair result given how the game played out."

The win advances L&C to the next round, where they will take on the No. 1 ranked team, Iowa Western, at Glazebrook Park on Saturday, October 28 at 2:30 p.m.

Lewis and Clark Community College is currently ranked in the top 20 nationally for 2023 NJCAA DI Women's Soccer.