Stoppage time in soccer has been known to lead to more than its share of drama.
That was the case Saturday afternoon, as the San Bernardino Valley College women's soccer team scored past the 90th minute and then outshot Fullerton College in penalties to advance to the second round of the CCCAA Women's Soccer playoffs.
SBVC won 3-1 in penalties after the game ended in a 4-4 tie.
Fullerton took a 2-0 lead at the half, thanks to goals from Morgan Dack and Mia Bannon. SBVC came out for the second half looking to up the pressure on the Hornets' defense, after being outshot 10-7 in the opening 45. The pressure paid off, as Fullerton was whistled for a penalty in the 54th minute. Caitlyn Sauceda calmly fired the shot in from the spot, cutting the lead in half.
SBVC drew even in the 66th minute, as Eliana Martinez was on the end of a pass from Marcela Gallo, and she fired the ball inside the post to tie the game at 2. It stayed like that until the closing minutes.
Fullerton picked up its play, and found the go-ahead goal in the 89th minute, as Kaelah Basurto received a through ball from Victoria Arrieta at the top of the box, and she fired a shot in the top of the net.
But, in stoppage time, it was another 50-50 challenge in the box that went the way of the Wolverines. And again, it was Sauceda - one of SBVC's strongest players all season - who converted from the spot, sending the game into extra time.
SBVC struck first in the extra time periods, as Gallo ran onto a long ball from Reyna VanDamme and deflected the pass into the net for the 4-3 lead. In the second half of overtime, the Hornets pushed to tie the game, and got the equalizer in the 107th minute. Georgia Vidal deflected the ball into the net after a shot went off the crossbar and was near the SBVC goal line.
In the shootout, Sauceda opened the proceedings with her third strike from the spot of the game, and SBVC goalkeeper Kerstin Lecon answerd with a stop on Daniela Perez, giving the Wolverines the early advantage. After both teams scored in the second round, Aaliyah Rubio put the Wolverines up 3-1, as Basurto missed the net with her attempt. In the fourth round, VanDamme was stopped by Fullerton goalkeeper Kayla Ippolito - but Dack's attempt sailed past the frame, giving the Wolverines the win.
SBVC will host Mt. San Antonio College at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 26 in the second round, as the Mounties defeated top-seeded Cypress in penalties 4-2 after the game ended in a 1-1 tie.