Laramie County tops Schoolcraft in penalty kicks

The Laramie County Community College women’s soccer team prides itself on being a family.

Well, families argue.

And after falling behind 3-1 to Schoolcraft in the first half of their opening pool play match at the NJCAA National Soccer Championship at Eastern Florida College Monday night, the Golden Eagles were arguing with each other.

But when Aubri Schneider’s game-clinching penalty kick hit off the right post and bounced into the goal, all was right in the Golden Eagles’ world as the No. 3 seed had themselves a 3-3 (5-4) victory.

“A phenomenal effort,” Laramie County coach Jim Gardner said. “I’m very proud. We kind of broke down at halftime and had arguments. I didn’t know if they’d be able to come back, mentally.

“We’ve faced some adversity, but not like that. Not at this tournament. For them to come back and put it together not only on the field, but in their hearts and minds, I thought that was wonderful.”

Laramie County opened the game’s scoring when Jemma House scored 15 minutes into play on an assist from Shauni Griffiths.

Schoolcraft (15-3-0) would answer with a game-tying goal from Lauren Wynns off an assist from Jenna Smith, and then a pair of goals from Elliss Jenkins, the latter coming on Smith’s second assist of the night.

That sent the teams to the half with Schoolcraft leading 3-1 and the Golden Eagles arguing among themselves. How did they pull themselves together?

“We didn’t talk. We didn’t say anything to each other. We just kind of let it settle down,” Schneider said. “It’s the heat of the moment. Emotions are running high, especially when we’re down 3-1.

“Our emotions were running way too high. We just needed to not say anything, let the emotions calm down. That way, when we can talk it out, it’s not as bad.”

The Golden Eagles were certainly a different team in the second half, getting another goal from House to make it a 3-2 game. House nearly got a hat trick, but Schoolcraft goalkeeper Lauren Auspitz made a great kick save.

However, the reprieve was only temporary as Laramie County put the pressure on again and this time, Griffiths drilled a shot that hit off Auspitz’s outstretched hand and found the back of the net to knot the score at 3-3.

After two scoreless overtime periods, the game went to penalty kicks where the score was even at 4-4 until a Schoolcraft miss set Schneider up for the game-winning try.

“I don’t want to think about missing or scoring,” she said of her mindset. “I just think about hitting the ball in the place I need to hit it and letting it do the rest.”

Schoolcraft coach David Carver said losing a game on penalty kicks is “about as bad as it gets” but gave Laramie County credit for its big comeback.

“We knew 3-1 was not a safe scoreline,” he said. “… It was upon us after we got our goals to try and really keep the lead. They’re a fantastic team.”

The Ocelots won’t have much time to dwell on Monday’s loss. They play Eastern Florida State College Tuesday night at 5:30. Laramie returns to action Wednesday night, also against EFSC.

So what does it say about the Golden Eagles that they were able to pull this one out?

“It says that we’re a good team,” Schneider said. “We always say that we’re a family and it really shows that we were able to pull out a win by being a family. Families can argue, get in the worse fights, but in the end, you love each other and you work your hardest for each other.”