Pioneers Win a Thrilling Penalty Shootout Over Nelson to Advance to NCCAA Central Regional Championship

WAXAHACHIE --- Wayland Baptist women's soccer advances to the 2025 NCCAA Central Region Championship match after prevailing in penalty kicks (4-1) against Nelson University on Tuesday afternoon.

Despite being outshot 19–8 in a physical, back-and-forth contest, the Pioneers showed composure in key moments—especially in goal, where junior goalkeeper Ashley Lopez delivered one of her best performances of the season. Lopez recorded seven saves, including several critical stops late in regulation and both overtime periods, keeping Wayland alive until the final whistle.

Nelson struck first in the 32nd minute when Mackenzie Gonzalez finished off a corner-sequence opportunity, putting the hosts ahead 1–0. The Pioneers settled in defensively after the goal, absorbing pressure and limiting dangerous chances while waiting for their own breakthrough.

That breakthrough came in the 63rd minute.

Sophomore forward Ashley Perez, who sparked the Wayland attack off the bench, buried the equalizer after a well-placed assist from defender Gabriella Chapa, tying the match at 1–1. Perez led the Pioneers with three shots (two on goal) and the team's lone goal in regulation.

From there, the match intensified. Wayland's back line—anchored by Talia Gisonni, Cecilia Lopez, and Paula Cubillos—fended off waves of Nelson pressure. Gisonni was especially active, tallying three shots on goal while helping hold Nelson scoreless over the final 78 minutes.

Both overtime periods saw Nelson press aggressively, but the Pioneer defense stayed organized, and Lopez's steady hands turned away each attempt that came through on frame. Wayland managed to stave off multiple corners and a late flurry from Nelson to push the match to penalties.

In the shootout, the Pioneers were flawless.

Ashley Perez, Tannia Diaz, Talia Gisonni, and Camila Zavala each converted their attempts with confidence, while Lopez came up big again—saving two Nelson penalties—to secure the 4–1 shootout victory.

Wayland Baptist will now travel to Bethany, Oklahoma where they will face the Eagles of Southwestern Christian University with a berth to the 2025 NCCAA Women's Soccer National Championships on the line. The match will take place on Friday, November 21^st at 1:00 PM.