Championship Central Page

OWINGS MILLS, Md. (Women’s Soccer) – The top-seeded Stevenson Mustangs and second-seeded Messiah Falcons played to a 1-1 double-overtime draw. In penalty kicks, the Mustangs defeated the Falcons 4-2 to win their first Commonwealth Conference Women’s Soccer Championship.

Messiah had its Commonwealth Conference title streak end at seven with the loss in penalty kicks, but the Falcons still remain unbeaten with a 19-0-2 overall record.

Stevenson (15-5-5) scored the game’s first goal in the 44th minute just before the half ended to take a 1-0 lead. Kellen Wittman scored her ninth goal of the season on passes from Ashlyn Hawbaker and Lauren Spivey.

In the second half, Messiah’s Mackenzie Clapper tied the game in the 55th minute with her sixth goal of the season. The Falcons’ Commonwealth Offensive Player of the Year Nikki Elsaesser earned the assist on the goal.

After two overtime periods with no goals, the teams went to penalty kicks.

Messiah missed its opening kick to put them in an early disadvantage. Stevenson made their first attempt, and the teams went back in forth with made penalty kicks. But then the Falcons missed another penalty kick on their fourth attempt and the Mustangs made theirs to earn the 4-2 advantage.

Stevenson’s goalkeeper Tiffany McKee recorded six saves while facing 15 shots in the 110 minutes of actions. McKee was in goal for Messiah’s two misses.

Messiah’s goalkeeper Audra Larson only need to make one save in regulation and the overtime periods.

Mckee was named the Commonwealth Conference Championship Most Valuable Player.

Stevenson earns the Commonwealth Conference’s automatic qualifier (AQ) to the NCAA Division III Tournament. The field will be announced on Monday, Nov. 10 at 1 p.m. at www.NCAA.com.