MCC falls on penalty kicks

By Michael Parsons, Eastern Florida State College

BREVARD COUNTY, FL  - The Monroe Community College women's soccer team battled for 110 minutes but in the end, fell to Paradise Valley Community College in penalty kicks in the semifinals of the NJCAA National Championship Friday night.

After battling to a 1-1 tie at the end of regulation, and then through two scoreless overtime sessions, the Tribunes (14-3-3) could not find the mark during penalty kicks. The Pumas converted one PK to Monroe's zero to advance to Saturday's title game.

"All year, they keep surprising me and surprising me. I mean, with the schedule we had, they were ready for this game and honestly this is the best game they played all year," Galvano said. "They left it on the field, through overtime and everything they never gave up. Just kept going and going.

"They surprised me more and more and I have never been prouder of a team that I am right now. Every single one of them worked so hard."

After a scoreless first half, Paradise Valley opened the scoring just a minute into the second half when Jacey Duncan scored on a nice pass from Shelby Stewart.

But a minute later MCC tied things up off a corner kick as Elin Eklund tapped in a pass from Tenysha Taylor.

Caitie Broderick played well in goal for the Tribunes, finishing with five saves and stopped two of the penalty kicks, allowing just the one goal in the penalty kick session.