Box Score Daily Herald Article (second part of article)
Updated Region IV Bracket
ROCKFORD, Ill. – Harper College women's soccer standout Kassidy Kushner (Barrington, Ill./Barrington) came through in the clutch when her team needed her the most. The sophomore forward scored with just 11 seconds left in the first overtime to lift the No. 3 seed Hawks (10-7) to a thrilling 2-1 win in the Region IV Semifinals over No. 2 seed and 2014 NJCAA Region IV Champion Rock Valley College Golden Eagles (7-5).
With the win, Harper advances to Tuesday's Region IV Championship game at College of DuPage (14-5-1) at 3 PM.
Kushner's goal, her 21st of the year, came in the 100th minute with time winding down before a second overtime. Alyciah Gutierrez (Chicago, Ill./Gordon Tech) assisted on the goal that gave the Hawks the victory.
Kushner also got the Hawks on the board early in the second half as she scored off a feed from Gabrielle Mclaurin (/Barrington). Rock Valley, however, responded just six minutes later as top scorer Sadey Jumapao tallied her 16th goal of the season off an assist from Aryanna Gelafio.
The Hawks were outshot in the match, 18-10. Kristen Serviss (Huntley, Ill./Huntley) led Harper in shots with five (three on goal).
Hawks goalkeeper Sonia Valencia (Wheeling, Ill/Wheeling) was tested throughout the contest but stood firm with 17 big saves in the victory.
The winner of Tuesday's game between Harper and College of DuPage will advance to the District Championship on Saturday, Oct. 31 against Anoka-Ramsey Community College. The game will be played at the University of Northwestern – St. Paul in St. Paul, Minnesota.
