PITTSBURGH — Fordham goalkeeper Kyla King lifted the Rams out of the Atlantic 10 Championship Quarterfinal on Saturday, making the game-ending penalty kick save to defeat No. 3 seed Duquesne in a penalty shootout. With the score tied 1-1 after regulation and two extra periods, Fordham won the penalty shootout 6-5.
The No. 6 seed Rams (11-6-2) advanced to the semifinals with the result, where they will travel to face top seeded Dayton at the Flyers’ Baujan Field. The showdown between Dayton and Fordham is slated for Wednesday, Nov. 5 at 7:00 p.m. ET.
Fordham showed no fear playing on the road, setting the tone early with a quick score. Junior forward Riley Carroll dribbled to her left side and fired, finding the net by a small margin with a terrific shot that grazed off the post.
Although Fordham maintained control on the scoreboard, Duquesne dominated possession in the first half. The Dukes’ high powered offense, ranked third in the country in shots on goal per game (9.89), outshot Fordham 12-4 in the opening period. Duquesne had trouble finding the frame, though, with just three of those shots on goal.
Duquesne evened the score before halftime on a tremendous play. Senior midfielder Libby Majka lobbed a long cross into the penalty box, perfectly in stride for teammate Paige Kuisis who headed the ball over the goalkeeper for the equalizing goal.
Neither team found the back of the net in the second half, but not from lack of chances. King made eight of her 14 saves in the second period, including multiple point-blank fast break opportunities for the Dukes.
The game went to overtime tied 1-1, but both goalkeepers refused to budge. Duquesne netminder Ali Hughes made a crucial save on a shot attempted by Fordham’s Liina Tervo, before King added four more stops in the two overtime periods.
Both teams finally found an offensive rhythm during the penalty shootout, each making their first five attempts. Fordham’s Julia Acosta made it six in a row for the Rams by finding the right side of the goal, before King made the clinching save moments later.