CINCINNATI, Ohio – The Hanover women's soccer team captured the theatrical Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Championship Saturday evening after defeating no. 1 seed Mt. St. Joseph in penalty kicks to advance to the NCAA Tournament.
 
Hanover was paced in the contest by sophomore, goalkeeper, Maggie Hinegardner (Fort Thomas, Ky.) who was named the Tournament's Most Valuable Player.
 
Hanover captured the lead early as senior Maggie Day (Sellersburg, Ind.) netted a goal just five minutes into the opening frame before the Lions found the heartbreaking equalizer with just minutes left that would ultimately result in penalty kicks.
 
Mt. St. Joseph got the first look on frame in PKs as Hinegardner made a huge save that set the stage for senior Kelsey Hughes (Noblesville, Ind.). Hughes delivered, beating the Lion keeper for the 1-0 advantage.
 
The Mount responded on the next attempt to tie the penalty kicks at 1-1 when junior Josie Dattilo (Montgomery, Ohio) approached, propelling Hanover back on top.
 
However, the Lions would claim the lead moments later on a balloon deflating kick, 3-2.
 
Senior Bryn Rolfsen (Loveland, Ohio) stood tall as she provided the tying blow that set the stage for teammate senior Anna Smith (Cincinnati, Ohio).
 
After the Lions hit the cross bar on their final attempt, Smith handled the rest sending Hanover to the NCAA Tournament with a PK winning goal.
 
With the win, Hanover claims the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament and will await the results of the election show to take place on Monday, Nov. 8.