DALLAS – The Belles claimed their second-ever NCAA Tournament victory with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Westminster to advance to the second round, where they will face top-seed DBU on Sunday in a rematch of last week's LSC Championship final.
"It was a tough game - as they all are at this time of year. Westminster did a good job in the first 20 minutes," said head coach Travis McCorkle after his squad's 3-2 win. "We recovered and started pushing the game in our favor."
The Belles got the lion's share of chances in the first half with 10 shots, six of which challenged goalkeeper Kelsea Cracroft.
It was a trio of Belle senior defenders that led the Belles onto the score sheet in the 32nd minute. Cassidy Hill played a free kick short to Maddi Kyle, who crossed the ball into the box, where it found the head of Kylie Hampton, who headed past Cracroft for her third goal this season.
The Griffins got on the score sheet in the second half when the Belles conceded their first penalty of the season and converted the ensuing spot kick.
The Belles would retake the lead only one minute later when they won a penalty and Hampton stepped up to the spot, scoring despite Cracroft getting a hand to the ball.
All of Hampton's goal contributions this season have come off set pieces.
The Salt Lake City-based team would tie things in the 80th minute off a free kick from midfield, forcing overtime.
"I'm very proud of the girls to fight through the difficult minutes after we allow a goal in the final 10 minutes," said McCorkle.
Valerie Solis, after making a threatening run into the Griffins' box, would win a penalty in the 96th minute and score the penalty for her fifth goal of the season and third from the spot. This is the Belles' first overtime win of the season in five attempts (1-2-2).
On the match, the Belles out-shot the Griffins 18-16, with 11 attempts on target to Westminster's six. Belles goalkeeper Kira Miller made four saves on the afternoon.
Having only conceded twice from set pieces this season and 11 goals all season, the Belles scored all three goals from set pieces and became only the second team to put three past the Griffins.
This is the Belles first NCAA tournament win since 2014 when they defeated MSU Denver 2-0.
"At the end of the day - it's all about advancing and extending our season," said McCorkle. "As a team we are in a good place right now & look forward to the opportunity to play in another game."
Like last week, the Belles will play DBU at 1 p.m. on Sunday. This will mark the fourth meeting between the two teams in this calendar year, with all four matchups taking place in Dallas. The Belles are 2-1 against the Patriots so far in 2021.
