Union ousted via PKs (photo gallery)

MUSCATINE - Glenwood slipped by Union Community yesterday 2-1, on penalty kicks (5-4), in a rollercoaster ride of a game Thursday in a girls' Class  2A state soccer tournament quarterfinal.

Union's Noel Mahood (18) heads the ball towards Glenwood's Sydney Stivers (26) during their class 2A quarterfinal game at the 2012 Iowa Girls High School State Soccer Championships Thursday, June 7, 2012 at the Muscatine Soccer Complex in Muscatine. Glenwood won the game by penalty kicks to advance. (Brian Ray/The Gazette-KCRG)

The game was evenly matched from start to finish, with possibly a slight edge to Union in possession and quality opportunities.

The Knights have only given up four goals all season, but conceded one in the opening minutes of the second half to senior forward Emily Wickman. But this game was far from over.

Union, a team known for defending, was forced to throw numbers forward in hopes of equalizing. As time waned, they attacked with nine players, but repeatedly failed to finish.

Then, with five minutes left in the game, the Rams gave Union a gift. Knight forward Tori Zempel was shoved while competing for a header in the penalty area, and the referee award Union a penalty kick.

Senior forward Noel Mahood stepped up to take the kick. She made solid contact, but the ball struck the crossbar, deflecting away.

Union was given hope, just to have it snatched back. But they refused to quit fighting, even into the final minute.

Then, with 39 seconds left, a low Knight cross skipped to freshman forward Dayton Powell who drove the ball low, right under Glenwood goalkeeper Sierra Edwards. This game was going to overtime.

It was a hot day, and both teams looked exhausted in overtime. Both periods came and went without a goal.

Next came penalty kicks. Union shot first. The first four shooters for each team scored comfortably. Union's fifth shooter was Powell. She fired a high shot down the middle, which Edwards batted away. With the game on the line, Ram senior midfielder Makenzie Evans pushed the ball into side netting for the game winner.

Powell, after getting her team to overtime with her last second heroics, missed the deciding penalty. Soccer can be such a cruel and emotional rollercoaster.

“We had a chance to redeem ourselves this game,” Caitlin McIntosh, Glenwood head coach, said. “They put (their penalty kicks) where they wanted to and Sierra made a big save so that was awesome.”

Glenwood will play North Scott today in the semifinals in Muscatine. North Scott won Thursday, 2-1, over Dallas Center-Grimes. The last time these teams met, North Scott won 2-1 in penalty kicks.