MINNEAPOLIS — The St. Thomas women’s soccer team tied 1-1 in double overtime against Augsburg, leading to a 6-5 shootout win for the Tommies in the MIAC championship game Saturday at Edor Nelson Field.
This win secured an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III national tournament.
“We knew it was going to be a high paced battle with (Augsburg) having an All American goalscorer,” coach Sheila McGill said, “so for us to fight through all the way, it was great for us.”
This was the third time in program history and second straight year that the Tommies (16-2-2, 10-1-1 MIAC) and the Auggies (14-4-1, 9-2-1 MIAC) met for a conference title. Augsburg beat St. Thomas 1-0 in the 2016 title game and St. Thomas won 3-1 in last year’s matchup.
Junior midfielder Ellie Eskierka scored at the 35 minute mark of the first half putting the Tommies on the board first. Eskierka’s goal was assisted by junior midfielders Kate Heimer and Paige Cater.
“It means a lot to me,” Eskierka said. “It’s important to come up big when my team needs me to.”
Augsburg senior forward/midfielder Ashley St. Aubin scored her 70th career goal late in the second half, breaking the MIAC record for most career goals.
The Auggies tallied eight shots on goal out of 25 total. Junior goalkeeper Sarah Pasternak was able to save all but one for the Tommies.
St. Thomas took 20 shots with eight on goal. Augsburg senior goalkeeper Emily Chapman saved all but one.
After a tied double overtime the teams went into a shootout to determine the winner of the MIAC conference title.
First-year midfielder Paola Del Moral made the sixth and final shot for the Tommies before Augsburg senior forward Gabriela Encarnacion missed one after five shots.
“It was really stressful, but I’m really glad that I made it and I was able to pull through for the team,” Del Moral said.
The NCAA tournament selection show is Monday, Nov. 11 at 12 p.m.
“For me, it’s about the diligence of these girls and the hard work they put in,” McGill said.
Justin Amaker can be reached at justin.amaker@stthomas.edu.