Jordan was down to its last chance on Tuesday.

The Warriors had battled all the way to a penalty shootout but found themselves on the brink of their season ending, trailing three penalties to two and facing a situation where a Stratford penalty would end the game.

But despite the situation, the Jordan bench was calm and confident and with it do or die, it was a freshman that stepped up in the biggest moment to help save Jordan’s season.

Freshman goalkeeper Taylor Thompson saved the game winning Stratford attempt and Jordan went on to win on penalties 5-4 after full time ended 1-1.

“I’ve never wanted something so badly. This team, it’s special and I wanted to win it for them,” Thompson said. “After what everyone on this team has been through, we deserve this more than anyone. To be able to turn things around like this is amazing and I’m so proud of us.”

Thompson made the biggest save of the night in the biggest moment and Stratford went on to miss its next two attempts, while Jordan, who had started the penalty shootout 2-0 down but rallied by making their last five to win the match. But none of that would have mattered if it weren’t for Thompson’s earlier heroics as well.

The keeper came up with a number of big saves throughout the game and none was bigger than when Stratford had a chance to take the lead with two minutes left in extra time.

The Spartans earned a penalty and had a chance to take late lead and in all likelihood a win, but Thompson guessed the right way and dove on the ball to keep the Warriors in it before adding more heroics in the penalty shootout.

“We work on penalties every day and when she had a great day yesterday knocking them down,” said Jordan head coach Kevin Lafollett. “She was tremendous. I thought if we could get to penalties, we had a chance and that’s because of her and how good she is. The practice paid off and things worked out. It was incredible.”

Jordan had to pick and choose its moments all night going up against a Stratford team with lots of firepower. The Spartans dominated possession, but Jordan limited chances and countered when they were able to. It took a special moment for Stratford to get in front in the 31^st minute, with Allison Goodwin finding space just inside the box and lifting a shot into the upper corner of the net, but Jordan found the equalizer in the second half, as Hannah McCurdy found space on a counter and hit a perfect strike over the Stratford goalkeeper to tie it. Stratford piled on pressure in the second half and extra time trying to find a winner, but Jordan's defense never gave an inch and even when they did, Thompson came up with big save after big save.

“When we went in at halftime they were kind of down but I told them they played well, we were moving, shifting and cutting down their opportunities,” Lafollett said. “Stratford is probably the best team in the region, but we kept them to one really good shot on goal. We needed a smash and grab goal and that’s what Hannah gave us, she is that kid, she’s hard-nosed. We knew to shoot on their goalie and she did it.”

It got to penalties and after the Warriors missed their first two, Grace Robertson converted her attempt to get Jordan on the board. Facing elimination, Lilah Katz and Kayleigh Pino both converted on their spot kicks and Thompson saved Stratford’s fourth attempt before Stratford’s fifth attempt missed to tie the penalty shootout. McCurdy then made her penalty attempt and Stratford converted as well to keep it tied before Camila Luna gave Jordan back the lead and Stratford’s final attempt skied over the bar to secure Jordan’s win.

The Warriors advance to play Brazoswood in the regional semifinals 2:30 p.m. Friday as Jordan clinched its first ever regional tournament spot.

“This is the best feeling ever,” Thompson said. “This is the best feeling ever. I can’t even explain it. We’re only going up from here and there’s more to come from this team in this season, I know it.”