It was a different locale, different opponent -- even the level of competition was greater.

Yet, UC San Diego claimed its familiar piece of championship hardware by defeating Northern Kentucky, 2-1, in thrilling fashion at the Division II Women's Soccer Championship at Barry December 2. Cindy Dostalek's goal with just 15 seconds remaining provided the margin and capped a brilliant first season after the school's move from Division III.

"I think today we deserved it," said Tritons head coach Brian McManus. "We've had games at times that we thought we may have stolen, but we deserved this one. We outplayed them."

The Tritons had outplayed Division III enough to garner a combined 16 NCAA women's titles -- five in women's soccer -- during their days without athletics scholarships. And after feeling their way through the early part of this season, the Tritons won their final 17 starts to finish 21-2.

UC San Diego fought off a Northern Kentucky scoring challenge with just under a minute to play before countering for the game-winner. Kristin Jones carried quickly across midfield before forwarding a pass to Christy Abizaid, who drew Norse goalkeeper Lauren Piening into the play. Abizaid slid the ball sharply into the box for Dostalek and the senior forward found the netting.

"I had a good amount of space to work with," Abizaid said. "It was a great ball by Kristin Jones and I had time to settle in and play it."

Dostalek felt the goal coming when she saw the pass.

"I saw Kristin coming down the line, and I said, 'This is it.' The ball came across from Christy and I just followed it through. After the goal, I looked up at the clock and it said 15 seconds and I could not believe it."

The Tritons then killed the remaining time to preserve the win.

"UC San Diego has a great team," said Northern Kentucky head coach Bob Sheehan, whose program completed only its fourth season of varsity soccer. "We were pleased with our effort, but a little disappointed with how we played. When you give up 16 corner kicks, it's tough to win. They just kept serving the ball into the box and taking their shots."

The Tritons came out and grabbed the momentum with aggressive early play. UC San Diego missed the opening frame's best opportunity when Laura Dooly's header struck the crossbar and rebounded back in the 26th minute. But the more physical Norse responded and commanded the tempo heading into intermission, as the game remained scoreless.

The Norse, 21-2-2, took the lead in the 51st minute. Tricia Ruark pushed the ball up the right wing and Betsy Moore chased it down, crossing it neatly into the penalty box. Denise Kunz was waiting to bounce it into the goal for a 1-0 advantage.

Then with the momentum seemingly swinging toward Northern Kentucky, UC San Diego mounted a charge. Dostalek won a corner with 25 minutes left. Christine Wensel's service found Dooly at the far post and she was able to knock in the equalizer.

The Tritons had recovered from similar momentum swings in their semifinal against defending champion Franklin Pierce. They gave up the tying goal with less than three minutes to play before advancing in overtime, 2-1. Northern Kentucky barraged host Barry with a four-goal second half to win the other semifinal, 5-1.

Dostalek was named the tournament's most outstanding offensive player, while teammate Kara Morris earned most outstanding defensive player honors. Fellow Tritons Elizabeth Hughes, Julia Cuder and Erika Alfredson joined them on the all-tournament team. Also on the squad were Northern Kentucky's Moore, Ruark, Malissa Stevenson and Becky Schnieders, Franklin Pierce's Minna Munstonen and Julia Uusmalmi and Barry's Jenny Nilsson and Ashley Snell.

Semifinals

First half: UCSD -- Cindy Dostalek (Erika Alfredson), 5:45.

Second half: FP -- Minna Mustonen (unassisted), 87:06.

Overtime: UCSD -- Alfredson (Christy Abizaid), 94:34.

Shots: UC San Diego 11, Franklin Pierce 16. Goalkeeper saves: UC San Diego (Kami Poma) 8, Franklin Pierce (Kim Higgins) 6. Corner kicks: UC San Diego 9, Franklin Pierce 4. Fouls: UC San Diego 13, Franklin Pierce 10.

First half: B -- Jenny Nilsson (Kirsten Buteau, Ashley Snell), 37:34; NK -- Adrienne Cavender (Amanda Trout), 42:55.

Second half: NK -- Trout (Tricia Ruark), 45:54; NK -- Betsy Moore (penalty kick), 51:34; NK -- Jeanna Martin (Denise Kunz), 56:07; NK -- Ruark (penalty kick), 78:02.

Shots: Northern Ky. 14, Barry 25. Goalkeeper saves: Northern Ky. (Lauren Piening) 6, Barry (Johanna Fischer) 3. Corner kicks: Northern Ky. 4, Barry 7. Fouls: Northern Ky. 17, Barry 9.

Championship

Second half: NK -- Denise Kunz (Betsy Moore, Tricia Ruark), 51:31; UCSD -- Laura Dooly (Christine Wensel), 66:15; UCSD -- Cindy Dostalek (Kristin Jones, Christy Abizaid), 89:45.

Shots: Northern Ky. 6, UC San Diego 20. Goalkeeper saves: Northern Ky. (Lauren Piening) 6, UC San Diego (Kami Poma) 2. Corner kicks: Northern Ky. 3, UC San Diego 16. Fouls: Northern Ky. 8, UC San Diego 12.