ROCKFORD, IL: A second half penalty kick proved to be the difference in the NJCAA Division III Women's Soccer National Tournament quarterfinals, between No. 3 Genesee and No. 6 Union County (NJ) in Rockford, IL on Nov. 8.

The Cougars entered the national championships afer winning the Region III-B title, their first appearance in the tournament since the 2015 season.

GCC nearly took the lead early on in the fourth minute after a Miko Yamashita corner kick produced an Autumn Ressue header that was saved by the Owls goalkeeper, one of nine saves that Lauren Buchanan made on the night for Union County.

Genesee did capitalize on a corner kick later in the half after Diante Scheepers sent a cross that Yamashita headed into the lower right corner just over 30 minutes in to give Genesee a 1-0 lead.

The one-goal lead held through halftime before Union County tied the game in the 58th minute, and 12 minutes later the Owls took the lead for good, capitalizing on a penalty kick that ended Genesee's season and hopes for the program's first national title. 

Yamashita sent a team-high three shots on net, and Jaclyn Guzdek made four saves in net.

The Cougars fall to 17-3 on the season and will play in the consolation round on Friday, Nov. 9th against Howard CC (MD) at 12:30pm CT.