11/6/2004 12:00:00 AM

Campbell Wins Atlantic Sun Conference Women's Soccer Championship Over UCF In PKs

Saturday, November 6, 2004

Contact: Stan Cole

Campbell Wins Atlantic Sun Conference Women's Soccer Championship Over UCF In PKs

[ Box Score ]

BUIES CREEK, N.C. – Tournament MVP Erin Switalski made nine saves in the nets and Campbell University won the Atlantic Sun Conference Women's Soccer Championship Saturday night in penalty kicks after playing to a 0-0 draw with UCF through two overtime periods at the Eakes Athletic Complex.

Campbell, the A-Sun regular season and tournament champion, won the penalty shootout 3-1 to earn its first-ever trip to the NCAA Championship. Senior Lexie Wilson, who did not play in the 110-minute contest, clinched the shootout with her attempt that glanced off the right post and into the net.

Switalski tied her own school record with her ninth shutout of the season – and second of the tournament – as Campbell extended its unbeaten string to 17 games (11-0-6).

The senior goalkeeper from Brecksville, Ohio, steered away three shots in the extra sessions, including a one-on-one encounter in the first 15 seconds of overtime. Kendra Flock broke free behind the Campbell defense following the kickoff, but Switalski dove to her right to push the ball past the left post.

Second-seeded UCF nearly ended the game in the first overtime period when Monique Fireall's left-footed shot hit the left post in the 96th minute.

In the first round of the shootout, Switalski dove to her right to halt an effort from Courtney Baines. Tracy Taddonio then converted for Campbell. After Becca Eshelman netted her penalty attempt, Campbell's Tina Lindholdt also scored.

Both Shannon Wing of UCF and Campbell's Hanna Wadefalk followed with misses off the right post before Flock missed the target wide right. Wilson, a native of Springfield, Va., who played in only seven games during the regular season, then struck the winning penalty for an insurmountable 3-1 margin.

Ironically, UCF won its eighth A-Sun title last year in a shootout (3-0) over Florida Atlantic. Campbell was playing in just its second A-Sun Championship final. In 1995 – CU's second year in the league – UCF defeated Campbell 1-0 on the same field in the conference championship match.

The three-time defending A-Sun tournament champion Golden Knights (16-3-2) held a 19-5 edge in shots, including a 7-0 margin in the 20 extra minutes. UCF was playing in its 10th A-Sun final in the last 11 years.

Both teams saw chances slip by in the first 45 minutes of play.

Switalski kept the game scoreless in the 30th minute. Becca Eshelman slid a pass beyond the Camel defense to Jennifer Montgomery, but the three-time, first-team all-conference keeper dove to her left to make a one-handed save.

Just two minutes later Campbell senior Susan Persson was denied by the crossbar on her left-footed shot from 25 yards.

In the 35th minute, Allison Blagriff whipped a left-footed cross into the Campbell box, but Flock could only send the ball over Switalski's bar after stretching inside the six-yard box. After 41 minutes, UCF's Shannon Wing headed Courtney Bailes corner kick off the right post.

UCF held a 5-3 edge in shots in the second half, but neither Switalski not UCF keeper Julie Snaman were tested while making two stops each in the period.

Top-seeded Campbell remained unbeaten (8-0-2) at home this year and did not trail this season at the Eakes Complex. The Camels defeated UCF 1-0 on Sept. 25. Saturday night's shutout was the team's 11th of the season, tying the school mark set by the 1995 club.

All-Tournament Team

Daniela Davila D Jacksonville

Leeanna Woodworth F Gardner-Webb

Allison Blagriff MF UCF

Courtney Baines MF UCF

Shannon Wing MF UCF

Kendra Flock F UCF

Danielle Hange D Campbell

Tracy Taddonio F Campbell

Susan Persson F Campbell

Jamie Armstrong MF Campbell

Erin Switalski (MVP) GK Campbell