ORANGE BEACH, Ala. – After 110 minutes of scoreless soccer, the University of Tampa women’s soccer team captured the program’s first National Championship with 3-1 victory in penalty kicks.

Ashley Flateland knocked home the game-winning penalty kick to give the Spartans a 3-1 decision in the third overtime. Shannon Aitken saved two PK attempts while the Ravens missed another to give Tampa the victory.

Neither team could find rhythm in regulation or overtime, with Tampa outshooting the Ravens 11 to 7.

Three Spartans were issued yellow cards during regulation, with one each going to Nicole Murphy, Ashley Flateland and Marissa Mohammed.

Shelby Kuni made the first penalty kick and Aitken saved Franklin Pierce’s first attempt. After another Ravens miss, Courtney Evans’s shot hit off the crossbar and into the keeper’s arms.

Aitken saved an attempt from Gabrielo Demo, which set up Megan Tobin’s first shot of the game. Tobin, a freshman with a game-winning PK on her record this season, nailed the attempt.

With the score at 2-1 after three attempts, a Ravens’ miss or a Spartans goal would have ended the game. Laura Stockdale kept the Ravens alive, but Ashley Flateland nailed the game-winner.

- wire story