ATLANTA, Ga. --- The No.21-ranked Pacific Lutheran University Women's Soccer team (16-1-4, 14-0-2 NWC) advances through to the second round of the NCAA Division III Women's Soccer Tournament for the first time since 2022, beating the Maryville College (TN) Scots, 1-0. Senior forward Hannah Cecil netted the Lutes game-winner in the 83^rd minute, while junior goalkeeper Abby Winkler and the Lutes defense notched their third consecutive shutout.
 
The Lutes fired the first shot of the game in the seventh minute, as Olivia Boehm's attempt was picked off by the Scots goalkeeper. The strong Lutes defense held the Scots without a shot for the first 32-minutes of the game; their lone shot of the half, was stopped by Lutes keeper Abby Winkler.
 
Ally Tattar, Kayden Hulquist, and Julia Causbie each took one shot to end the first half, with the final two requiring saves. Both squads remained scoreless for the first 45-minutes.
 
Nine minutes into the final half, Liv Olson had the first attempt for either team after the break, also earning a save for Maryville. The Lutes offense kept their foot on the gas, but could not break the ice until the 83^rd minute, when defender Kayden Hulquist cleared a ball over the head of the Scots defense and found a streaking Hannah Cecil. Cecil beat the Scots keeper one-on-one and put the Lutes on top, 1-0.

Hulquist finds Cecil for the game-winner!#GoLutes @PLU_WSoc
??: Emory Athletics pic.twitter.com/5MGncYaNaY

— PLU Athletics (@golutes) November 16, 2024

 
Maryville's two attempts in the closing minute missed the target, with senior Lily Dose picking up a yellow card. The Lutes took down the Scots of Maryville, 1-0, and advance to the second round of the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2022.
 
The PLU offense controlled the possession from start to finish, tallying 13 total shots with six on-target, meanwhile, Maryville had just five shots and two on-target. Causbie led the Lutes in shot attempts with three, as Cecil was close behind with two; each had one of their attempts deemed on-target in the match. Nine different Lutes fired shots on Saturday. Winkler kept her strong play form the NWC season going, adding a third-straight shutout, while making two saves.
 
The Lutes postseason run continues tomorrow afternoon, as they look to make history against the Eagles of Emory University on their home turf at 12 p.m. PST.
 
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