NOTE: A postgame XML will be uploaded as soon as one is made available. 
 
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – For the second straight year, the Jacksonville women's soccer team went to penalty kicks in the ASUN Tournament Quarterfinals. This year however, the Dolphins won.

Jacksonville outlasted North Alabama after a 0-0 regular time final, defeating the Lions 4-3 in dramatic penalty kick fashion. The ASUN Tournament win marks the first victory in the tourney for the Dolphins since 2017, and the first postseason win in just two years under head coach Ryan Moon.

Last season, the Dolphins were defeated in PKs by EKU. This year, the #2 Dolphins got their revenge against the #3 Lions after a Pia Bozic save sealed the night and the win.

Thursday night's game was a showcase of JU's offense against UNA's defense. Jacksonville entered the game as the nation's seventh best team in terms of shots on goal and 20^th in total shots. Defensively, UNA boasted the nation's 19^th best defense, allowing less than one goal per game through the season. 

Both stats showed true during regular time.

Jacksonville bombarded the UNA net to the tune of 29 shots. UNA had just seven. The Dolphins took 15 shots on goal to UNA's five. However, the Lions' defense stood tall and blanked the 'Phins for UNA's ninth shutout of the year.

In extra time, neither team found paydirt and the game headed to the most exciting event in sports: penalty kicks.

Jacksonville started the penalty period with a make by Alicia Rey Perez. UNA answered with one of its own.

Laura Di Mascio then found the net to put JU up 2-1. On UNA's ensuing shot, Bozic made a clutch save to keep her team ahead.

Paula Herranz found net on her take, as did the next UNA penalty taker. Claudia Perez Avila then scored before, again, UNA answered. Olivia Peal's shot was blocked by UNA on the potential game-winning goal, leaving the match up to the graduate keeper from Kamnik, Slovenia with JU leading 4-3.

And Bozic knocked the shot high above the crossbar for the victory.

In total, Bozic made five saves during regular time and two crucial saves during PKs. Rey Perez led the game with five shots, followed by four shots each from Manuela Restrepo and Madelyn Radtke. All four of Radtke's takes were on goal, good for a game-high and just one short of the entire output from UNA. That number was also good for a career-high for the junior from Virginia. 

Jacksonville's 29 shots were its third best output all season and second best in conference play. The team's 15 shots on goal were good for second best all year and best in ASUN competition. 

During the longest game of the year for either team, five 'Phins played 100 or more minutes. Bozic, freshman Frida Johansson, Lina Ballmann and Lilian Carhart all played the full 110 of the game. Ana Alvarez Garcia played 100 minutes.

Despite the thrilling victory at Lipscomb, Jacksonville can't rest long as the Dolphins will face the host school in the ASUN Semifinals on Sunday, streamed on ESPN+.

JU will square off against the #1 ranked Bisons Sunday, Nov. 2 at 2 p.m. EST. Lipscomb advanced by way of defeating #4 ranked Queens, 2-0.

If Jacksonville is victorious, they will be the highest remaining seed left in the tournament and will host the ASUN Finals on Sunday, Nov. 9 against the winner of #3 UNF and #4 Bellarmine. Kickoff time is to be determined. 

COACH'S COMMENTS
"Really happy for the team," Moon said. "They played so well tonight against a very organized team that doesn't give up a lot of goals. We created chances and kept the pressure on until the end. Last year we were on the wrong side of the shootout so I'm glad we put it right this year. Looking forward to Sunday now."

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