STORRS, Conn. (SMU) – The No. 3-seeded SMU women's soccer team advanced to the American Athletic Conference Championship semifinals, winning in penalty kicks, 3-2, at the Joseph J. Morrone Stadium Wednesday. SMU goalkeeper Catie Brown recorded back-to-back diving penalty-kick saves, and Claire Oatesscored the winning penalty kick attempt to propel SMU over UCF.

Deadlocked, 1-1, after two overtime periods, both teams converted two of the opening three penalty attempts. Between two straight saves by Brown, Oates sealed the Mustang victory as she converted SMU's fourth PK attempt. Vanessa Valadez and Allie Thorntonalso converted their attempts.

Trailing 1-0 in the 71st minute, Oates scored the SMU (12-5-2) equalizer, heading in a Haley Thompson corner kick. Oates now has nine goals this season, 19 in her career. Thompson now has eight assists this year, nine in her career.

UCF (9-8-2) struck first, as Carol Rodrigues scored in the fifth minute of the game.

SMU will play No. 2-seed Memphis Friday at 4:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. CT in the AAC Championship semifinals. The game can be seen on the American Digital Network.

Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Mustangs by following SMU women's soccer on Twitter at @SMUSoccerW, on Facebook at Facebook.com/SMUSoccerw, and on Instagram at Instagram.com/SMUSoccerW.

---

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU

ECNL Boys Las Vegas: U17 Players to Watch

TDS Girls Regional Rankings: Class of 2028

ECNL Boys LV National Selection Rosters