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KENNESAW, Ga. – Senior Carly Pressgrove converted the decisive kick to lift the Kennesaw State women's soccer team to a 4-3 penalty kick shootout victory over North Florida in the ASUN Conference Championship quarterfinals Sunday at Fifth Third Bank Stadium. The two teams played to a 0-0 tie through 110 minutes.
 
The win advanced the Owls (8-6-4) to the semifinals where they will face top-seed Lipscomb Friday in Nashville. Tipoff is 8 p.m. (ET). North Florida concluded its season 9-6-1.
 
On a cold and blistery afternoon in which the temperature never rose above 40 degrees, Kennesaw State and North Florida played an even match with each team having scoring chances, but both goalkeepers came up big to force the contest into a shootout.
 
KSU goalkeeper Tiffany Sornpao, who earned ASUN Conference All-Freshman Team honors last week, set the tone in the penalty kick period.
 
North Florida's Sarah Wasser was first to shoot and her shot was turned back by Sornpao. Sophomore Isabella Contreras followed and scored to give the Owls a 1-0 lead. Both teams scored on each of their next two attempts (Sydney Crowley and Abby Roth for KSU), resulting in a 3-2 KSU lead.  
 
After another big save by Sornpao, Kennesaw State had an opportunity to win it in the fourth round, but UNF goalkeeper Rhiannon Conelley came up with a save against Morgan Harrison.
 
Following a converted shot by Brandi Walker that made it 3-3, the round came down to Pressgrove, who was up to the challenge, beating Conelley for a score and setting off a mass celebration by the Owls.  
 
QUOTING THE COACH
"I was very pleased with how our team played from start to finish," head coach Benji Walton said. "We have been trying to find a rhythm with our team the last few weeks. Being in rhythm means being able to stay connected, make passes with a purpose and defend as a group, and I think we did that.
 
"I think our team did a good job today of communicating, talking and handling the problems North Florida can throw at you, Walton added. "The first half, I think our feet were a bit numb and it took us a while to get use to the cold. In the second half and into overtime I think we got into more of a rhythm."
 
WALTON ON PENALTY KICK SHOOTOUT
"The penalty kick shootout is a brutal way to win and lose," Walton said. "I think Tiffany is as good as it gets when it comes to penalty kicks, and we felt confident with her in goal that she was going to save at least one, if not two, and she did just that today. Our shooters also did a good job of doing their part."
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
North Florida held an 11-8 advantage in shots, and both teams had five shots on goal. Ashtah Das, Sydney Meador and Contreras each had two shots.
 
NEXT UP
Kennesaw State is next in action on Friday (Nov. 3) when it travels to Nashville to take on Lipscomb in the semifinals of the ASUN Championship. Kickoff is 8 p.m. (ET).
 
 To keep up with the latest Kennesaw State soccer news follow the team on Twitter @KSUOwlNation and @KSUOwlsSoccer or by liking Kennesaw State University on Facebook.
 
Fifth Third Bank is the Official Bank of Kennesaw State Athletics. Fifth Third Bank Stadium is the home of women's soccer, women's lacrosse and football.