ABILENE, Texas – Hardin-Simmons' Cowgirl soccer team is on its way back to the championship match after a 4-0 win over Howard Payne in the American Southwest Conference Tournament semifinal match Thursday at the HSU Soccer Complex.
 
Hardin-Simmons entered the match as the No. 2 overall seed hosting No. 3 Howard Payne. The Cowgirls defeated the Yellow Jackets earlier this season 4-0. The Cowgirls will play UMHB in the ASC Championship Saturday at 6 p.m.
 
The Yellow Jackets held the Cowgirls at bay until the 35^th minute, when Kaylee Maddox found the head of Lexi Templin on a corner kick headed down and in for a goal that would be the game-winner. Templin leads the team with 18 goals on the season.
 
Maddox got two good chances early in the second half and converted both with fine shots for goal in the 47^th and 54^th minutes, with assists from Caroline Burrow and Kalea Willis, to extend the Cowgirl lead. Maddox is up to six goals from the midfield this season.
 
Freshman Rachel Bonnin finished the scoring with her second goal of the season after Beasley Floyd brought the ball down wide and fed it to Kirsten Bush for a dump off to Bonnin for the Cowgirl goal to make it 4-0 in the 80^th minute.
 
Hardin-Simmons shot 32 times with 11 shots on goal in a dominant performance, pulling away from Howard Payne who shot seven times with two shots on frame. The Cowgirls took eight corners and allowed none.
 
Super senior Haley Foley started the game in goal for the Cowgirls and went the distance with two saves in the shutout win.
 
The Cowgirls improve to 15-1-2 on the season and advance to the ASC Championship match on Saturday in Abilene at 6 p.m. against the undefeated Mary Hardin-Baylor Cru.
 
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