The No. 6-seed Charlotte 49ers women’s soccer team defeated the No. 3-seed Western Kentucky Lady Toppers Wednesday night in the first round of the Conference USA tournament in penalty kicks, winning 4-1, after a 1-1 score took the game into extra time at Transamerica Field.
Charlotte’s freshman Sara Sandberg placed the ball 12 yards away from WKU’s keeper Allison Leone (9-8-2) to begin the penalty kicks, scooting the ball directly by Leone, giving the 49ers a quick lead. Abby Coffey, the backup goalkeeper for Charlotte, got her name called by coach John Cullen to defend her home net, as the first shot for WKU sailed over the goal.