For the first time in a decade, No. 5 seed Kentucky women’s soccer (11-4-5, 3-3-4) earned an NCAA Tournament victory, defeating West Virginia (12-5-3, 8-2-1) 4 -2 in penalties at Bell Soccer Complex. Marz Josephson made two saves for the Wildcats to help punch their ticket to the second round for just the fourth time in program history.

It is the first shootout win for the Wildcats since 2014 when Kentucky similarly defeated SIUE in a shootout at the Bell Soccer Complex in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Through the hard-fought, sometimes chaotic 110 minutes, the Wildcats outshot the Mountaineers 20-18. West Virginia had eight shots on goal to Kentucky’s four, forcing Josephson to make seven saves, the most in a game this season.

The first 45 minutes did not provide many clear scoring chances for the Wildcats with the best look from Alexis Tylenda in the 20th minute sailing right into the arms of Mountaineer goalkeeper Mackenzie Smith. Things got interesting a little later in the first half after the referee went to the monitor to review a potential handball in the box against West Virginia. After a review, the referee determined that it was not a foul and no penalty was awarded to the Wildcats.

The second half started with more energy from both teams and after chances at each end, West Virginia made it count and opened the scoring in the 52nd minute through Olivia Shetzer. The lead didn’t last long for the Mountaineers as the Wildcats responded almost immediately, finding the equalizer through Maddie Kemp on a set piece. The goal is Kemp’s sixth of the season while Catherine DeRosa picks up her second assist of the season.

The rest of the second half was a back and forth affair with both goalkeepers called into action. Josephson made some big saves in the final 15 minutes to keep the postseason hopes alive for the Wildcats. At the end of 90 minutes the score was 1-1 and the match went to extra time.

Overtime didn’t provide many chances for the Wildcats, nor the Mountaineers as tired legs began to show for both teams. Kentucky rallied late in the second half of overtime and looked good on a 109th-minute cross for the game-winner, but it went just wide after bouncing off the head of Mallory Glass. Still tied 1-1 after 110 minutes, the match went to a penalty shootout.

Kentucky went on to win the shootout 4-2 with goals from Makala Woods, Michelle Moskau, Grace Hoytink and Sophia Mattice. Josephson made two saves and denied West Virginia’s second and fourth attempts to send Kentucky to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Kentucky will now face No. 4-seed Notre Dame with host site, date and time TBA.