Journal photo by Eric Jones Jefferson's Olivia Hobbs, right, plays the ball in front of Hampshire’s Choe Hibbs.

SHENANDOAH JUNCTION – The Class AAA, Region II, Section 2 girls soccer tournament started off with a little bit of drama on Tuesday when Jefferson hosted Hampshire.

After both teams notched a goal in the first half, neither team scored in the second half, the first extra period or the second extra period. That put the game into penalty kicks, and the Cougars scored in extra penalty kicks to earn a 1-1 (5-4) victory.

“It was two teams battling. It was back and forth, back and forth,” said Jefferson coach Matt Speaker. “It’s just a matter of trying to find a weakness, and I think both teams were trying to do that. They were both hustling. I’m glad the girls had fun tonight and I’m glad they were able to play together.”

Hampshire had a number of chances to win in the first and second extra periods but couldn’t connect.

In penalty kicks, both teams made their first shots but only Jefferson was successful on the second kick. Both teams were successful on the third kick, but the Trojans made their shot in the fourth round. In the final two rounds, Jefferson was successful on both shots, including Olivia Black’s clincher.

“The credit goes to both teams. They were both out there hustling,” Speaker said. “I think, with having the season that we did, and being able to come here and keep fighting, it says a lot.”

Ellie Cunningham put Jefferson into the lead first just under the 20-minute mark of the first half. Hailey Dillow sent the ball ahead from midfield, and Cunningham settled it, got around a Hampshire defender and fired her shot past Trojan goalkeeper Cali Kobasiar.

The lead didn’t last that long as Hampshire tied the game at 1 with 6:26 remaining in the first half on Nicole McManamay’s tally.

After Kelsie Lemasters raced the right sideline, past two Jefferson defenders and to the ball, she sent a pass across to McManamay, who scored on Jefferson goalkeeper Elle Colbert.

Jefferson will take on Washington on Thursday evening in the sectional championship game. The Cougars went 0-2 against the Patriots in the regular season.

“When we go to play Washington, we’ll be coming at them with everything we have,” Speaker said.