RAYMOND – With the NJCAA’s Region 23 Women’s Soccer Championship headed to penalty kicks, the Hinds Community College Lady Eagles felt pretty good about their chances. That’s because Emily Coker was in goal.

The former Warren Central product and the Vicksburg Post’s 2005 Player of the Year, stopped the first two penalty kicks by Northwest and that helped Hinds win the penalty kick round 4-2 to take the match and the regional title.

Hinds (15-3-1) now advances to the NJCAA District Tournament Nov. 6 at a site to be determined in Texas.

&#8220I’ve always had a pretty good record when it comes to penalty kicks,” Coker said afterward. &#8220I can remember only one failure and that was last year. I don’t think I ever lost one in high school.”

The Region 23 title, on the heels of last week’s state championship which was won on a goal by Mallory Wells, makes this a great debut year for former Vicksburg High soccer player and now Hinds coach Kori Crutchfield.

&#8220I felt we were very strong out there. We were eager to win. And then we had Emily at keeper. She has such great leadership for us,” Crutchfield said.

Two scoreless halves followed by two more 10 minute overtime periods could not produce a goal.

Hinds went first in the PK round but its best striker, Courtney Sims, got too much of the cross bar on the opening attempt. Sims had scored all three of Hinds’ goals in Friday’s 3-0 semifinal win over Pearl River.

Coker, though, stopped Northwest’s Justine Richins’ offering by making a quick hand swat.

On the second attempt, Hinds’ Nadia Baltazar finally put a ball in the net. Coker came back to stop Eylse Lovelace’s low grounder, trapping the ball between her legs to save the goal.

Sophomore Keri McGowan gave Hinds a two-goal edge, floating a ball over Northwest keeper Lauren Ferris’ head.

Coker finally yielded a goal when Kira Harris had a perfect upper left placement. Hinds answered when former Vicksburg Missy Gator Miranda Hunt slipped a ball past Ferris for a 3-1 lead.

Up 3-2, Hinds could win on a kick by Mary Beth Dodd. It was true.

&#8220This was the third time we’ve played them and the second time we’ve won, but we’ve beaten them when it counts the most,” said Hunt. &#8220They tried to make us run a lot on defense.”

During regulation and overtime, Coker was assisted by Wells at defensive halfback and Beverly Simmons, another former Missy Gator, at sweeper.

&#8220I had to guard their best player, No. 22 (Lovelace),” Wells said. &#8220Me and Bev always do good together. And oh yeah, I love having Coker back in the net.”

Baltazar had the best chance at a goal in regulation at the 49th minute, but her 20-yarder, following a penalty kick, bounded high off the cross bar.

Coker had to make a diving save in the first overtime and then made two more in the final minute of the second overtime to send the match to penalty kicks.