Matt Barker, Sports Information Director

FULTON, Mo. - The Freed-Hardeman Women's Soccer team dropped a heartbreaker Monday evening in the AMC Tournament Semifinals, as they fell in a 5-4 shootout following a scoreless draw in Fulton, Mo.

Prior to the semifinal match, the American Midwest Conference announced the academic All-Conference recipients from each team, which requires athletes to maintain a 3.0 GPA. In total, Freed-Hardeman had 12 players earn Academic All-Conference honors including Avis Van Kampen, Cortnie Fitts, Chloe Finney, Alyssa Musselman, Laura Williams, Abbey Redferrin, McCall Decker, Sam Clymer, Nele Kirsch, Melissa Ross and Morgan Clemmons and Erin Douglas.

The Lady Lions (8-9-1) battled the entire evening, as the Owls out-shot FHU 29-5 in the match, including 16 shots on goal. However, FHU keeper Erin Douglas was up for the challenge, as she saved all 16 shots she faced in the match to post a clean sheet at the end of regulation.

Hannah Bilger and McCall Decker attempted the two shots on goal for the Lady Lions, which accounted for all of the offense for FHU. However, despite being on the defensive the entire evening, the Lady Lions answered the call and kept William Woods (12-6-2) scoreless through two overtime periods to force a shootout.

In the shootout, both teams exchanged goals through the first four attempts, as Sam Clymer, Abbey Redferrin, McCall Decker and Melissa Ross made good on their shot attempts. Rosemary Lenz, Shelby Scanlan, Rachel Humble and Lexi Rosa also made good on their shot attempts for Williams Woods to even things up at four apiece.

In the next shootout attempt, Abby Prather-Turner hit the crossbar to give FHU an opportunity for the win. However, William Woods keeper Abbey West stepped up to the challenge and saved the next shot she faced off the foot of MacKenzie Wrather to give the Owls new hope.

From there, McKenzie Gourley made good on her shot attempt while West saved the next shot she faced from FHU Senior Forward Avis Van Kampen to give William Woods the 5-4 shootout victory.

"I was really proud of our team tonight as they gave us everything they had," said head coach Jason Elliott. "Coming off a tough win over the top seed Missouri Baptist and then another really good opponent on two days rest with all the travel is difficult but our ladies really competed for 110 minutes and into penalty kicks where anything can happen. I wanted them to win this one so they could experience playing for a conference championship and they were right there. This one is obviously going to take a long time to get over."

With the loss, the Lady Lions end their season with a record of 8-9-1. William Woods moves to 12-6-2 on the season with the win and advance to play Columbia College in the AMC Tournament Finals.