ABILENE, Texas – McMurry Women's Soccer did something that no team has been able to do in the last six seasons, taking down Hardin-Simmons in a conference match with a signature 1-0 win on Friday in Abilene.
Friday's win is perhaps the most significant in program history to this point – marking the first time ever McMurry has defeated NCAA Division III powerhouse Hardin-Simmons. Coming into the match, HSU had a 21-0 advantage in the all-time series dating back to 2001.
The last two meetings between McMurry and HSU have been decided by one-goal margins. The last five have been decided by three goals or less, but prior to 2018, every match was decided by at least six goals.
Since 2016, the Cowgirls had a 98-8-7 record and 18 straight conference titles – not to mention their stranglehold on the American Southwest Conference with a 58-0-2 record in conference games.
Until Friday.
The up-and-coming War Hawks – who improved to 11-4-2 overall and 6-2-2 in the ASC – were out to prove something. Freshman Emily Holland struck first blood and maneuvered into the attacking third, wiggling through and launching it into the net for the 1-0 lead.
But things would only got tougher from there.
HSU – who is now 12-3 overall and 9-1 in conference play – fired seven shots in the second half and kept the McMurry defense busy. But the clamps never came off, as the War Hawks produced their ninth shutout of the season.
Sophomore goalkeeper Cortlynn Boone never caved despite immense pressure, making impressive save after impressive save. Two shots stood out in particular, including two that ricocheted off the crossbar. One of the two almost crossed the goal line, but Boone punched it away. Boone also deflected an on-target shot at her peak, turning a free kick goal into an out-of-play shot.
Boone also had to fight off six corner kicks, and with help from the defense, smothered each of them.
In the final minute, HSU was on the doorstep and created a couple of shot opportunities in the box. With under 10 seconds to go, a push-off foul was called on HSU, ending any hopes of tying the match and preserving its long undefeated streak in conference play.
Despite losing, HSU remains the regular season conference champion and will have home-field advantage throughout the ASC Championship Tournament. Tonight's result had much more meaning for the War Hawks regarding the postseason.
With tonight's win, McMurry earns the fourth seed and will host its quarterfinal matchup against fifth seed Howard Payne on Tuesday, Nov. 2. A loss to HSU would have put the War Hawks on the road for the quarterfinal round.
The War Hawks and Yellow Jackets kick off inside Wilford Moore Stadium at 7 p.m. Tuesday. The winner will advance to the semifinal round hosted at Hardin-Simmons.
To view the full bracket, click here.
