By: Joey Daniels (@GBJoeyD)
GREEN BAY, Wis. (GreenBayPhoenix.com) – For the first time since 1994 the Green Bay women's soccer team won a postseason game at home, downing Youngstown State 3-1 on Monday night at Santaga Stadium in the conference quarterfinals.
After allowing an unfortunate goal to start the game just 1:30 into action, Green Bay (11-6-2) dominated the remaining 88 minutes, scoring three goals and shutting down Youngstown State (7-9-2) defensively. Recently-awarded First Team All-League honors, Heidi Hartmann scored the game-tying goal in the 40th minute when she played the ball off a defender to herself in position for a perfect finish.
The goal tied the game at 1-1 and gave the Phoenix new life in the contest. Another conference award honoree, Alex Zeller would then go on to score the game-winner in the 42nd minute of the game. Zeller received a feed from senior Hannah Kernen just beyond the midfield line before maneuvering through the Penguins' defense and rocketing one into the top of the net.
The ball Zeller struck had no chance of being saved, blazing past the Youngstown State goalkeeper. With an assist from Kernen, all seven points scored by Green Bay in the match were accounted for from this season's All-League performers.
Hartmann would go on to put the match out of reach for good when she scored again in the 76th minute. The junior scored her team's third goal all on her own, working through the defense and tight roping the goal line to shoot one into the back side of the net.
The Green Bay defense bounced back nicely after allowing an early goal, which ultimately led to a 24-7 advantage in total shots and an 11-2 in shots on goal.
The victory was the first postseason win for the program since 2004 and the first home tournament win since 1994.
Green Bay will now face the No. 1 seed and tournament host Valparaiso on Thursday night at 7 p.m. CT. The Phoenix recently fell to the Crusaders 4-1 at home this past Friday.
###
For the latest and most up-to-date information on Green Bay Athletics and Green Bay Women's Soccer, please visit GreenBayPhoenix.com.
Follow us on Twitter: @GBPhoenix and @gbphoenixwsoc.
Like Green Bay Phoenix Athletics and Green Bay Phoenix Women's Soccer on Facebook.
---GreenBayPhoenix.com---
