Harper falls in national tourney

The Harper College women's soccer team lost its opening game to North Lake College (Texas) in the NJCAA national tournament Friday afternoon, 4-2 in penalty kicks.

Regulation ended with the Hawks and Blazers tied at 1-1.

The Hawks will play at 9 a.m. Saturday No. 4-ranked Rochester Community and Technical College (Minn.). Rochester lost to Clinton Community College 2-0.

Harper (12-2-1) met up with Rochester (15-4-0) earlier this season, in a tournament hosted by Rochester. The Yellowjackets came away with a 6-0 vicotry.

The highest the Hawks can finish in the national tournament is fifth. In order to accomplish that, the Hawks would have to win against Rochester and again in the fifth-place game Sunday morning.