New Braunfels, Texas – Hardin-Simmons and Mary Hardin-Baylor will meet for the ASC Women’s Soccer Championship after both earning wins in Thursday’s semifinals. Hardin-Simmons defeated Howard Payne 3-1, and Mary Hardin-Baylor edged East Texas Baptist 2-1 in extra time. East Texas Baptist and Howard Payne end their seasons after strong showings in the tournament.

The championship match will be Saturday, November 7 at 5:00 p.m. on the campus of Hardin-Simmons in Abilene, Texas. The two teams have met twice this season, with the Cowgirls holding a 2-0 advantage in the series. This year marks the sixth year in a row the Cru and Cowgirls will face off in the ASC Championship Game.

No. 4 Howard Payne 1, No. 1 Hardin-Simmons 3
Howard Payne and Hardin-Simmons got off to a hot start, with an 8th-minute goal by Yellow Jackets forward Abbie Wetzel and a 9th-minute goal by Cowgirls forward Andie Hafner to tie the game. The teams battled through the first half and headed into halftime tied 1-1.

Hardin-Simmons found its stride in the second half, with Lexi Templin scoring in the 47th minute to give the Cowgirls their first lead of the night at 2-1. Aras King then scored in the 58th minute to put the Cowgirls up 3-1. Hafner and Templin each finished with a goal and an assist. HSU finished with 16 shots on goal, and Landry Combs made 11 saves for Howard Payne. Rebecca Hall made one save in goal for Hardin-Simmons.

No. 6 East Texas Baptist 1, No. 2 Mary Hardin-Baylor 2 (OT)
East Texas Baptist competed with No. 2 Mary Hardin-Baylor down to the wire, tying the match on a Hannah Wainwright penalty kick in the 80th minute and sending the game to two extra time periods. Mary Hardin-Baylor’s Gracie Ruthven had a big night for the Cru, scoring both goals. Her first goal gave UMHB a 1-0 lead in the 54th minute, and her second was a golden goal off an assist from Leila Cunningham, clinching the win and a spot in the championship game for the Cru.

East Texas Baptist goalkeeper Taylor Lauster had a career night, making 17 saves on 19 shots on goal. The freshman held strong in goal for the Tigers, following up a shutout in the first round against McMurry. Cru goalkeeper Aubrey Tipton made four saves, facing five shots on goal from the Tigers.