After early goal to tie, Mavericks wait 80 minutes to end Seattle Pacific's bid to be unbeaten

As time wound down on the 2005 Division II Women's Soccer Championship, both Nebraska-Omaha and Seattle Pacific had scored a goal apiece. But three minutes into the overtime period, Mavericks sophomore forward Brandie Beale placed a high shot into the net to win Nebraska-Omaha's first women's soccer crown.

Midwestern State hosted the championship December 3 in Wichita Falls, Texas. It was Nebraska-Omaha's fourth straight trip to the finals. They finished second in 2002.

The defeat was a first this season for the Falcons, who entered the game with a 20-0-4 record. In fact, Seattle Pacific's Megan Lienhard struck first in the championship game, but the Mavericks' Amber Richardson tied the score less than three minutes later. Nebraska-Omaha came back from a 1-0 deficit in their semifinal game against Franklin Pierce, also.

Richardson's tying goal in the first period slipped through Falcon goalkeeper Jennifer Burns' hands and bounced onto the crossbar and in for the score.

"With the wind, you just have to shoot the ball and take a chance," Richardson said.

Neither team was able to capitalize on second-half opportunities.

With the score knotted at one, the game headed into overtime. Beale, who was named the most outstanding offensive player of the tournament after finishing with nine points, scored her fifth game-winner of the year 3:03 into the overtime period. Mavericks' senior goalkeeper Amy Price was named the tournament's most outstanding defensive player, bolstered by five saves in the championship game.

Price, Richardson, Meghan Pile, Amanda Iwansky and Beth McGill were named to the all-tournament team from Nebraska-Omaha. Seattle Pacific's Michelle Everson and Meredith Teague also were selected.

"It was an amazing season," said Chuck Sekyra, Falcons head coach. "A program in its fifth year, losing 2-1 in overtime to a team that has been here three times before. We're as good as any team in the country, and we lost to a great team."

Seattle Pacific had been unbeaten in 17 overtime games over the last four years.

The Mavs outshot the Falcons, 22-10, ending their season at 20-2.

The two teams combined to post 24 shutouts during the 2005 season.

"This has been four years coming for us," Mavericks head coach Don Klosterman said. "These guys don't quit. They've shown it in every single game. One of the keys to our team is that it doesn't always happen pretty. They work hard, and they compete."

Nebraska-Omaha is now 13-3-1 in tournament games and boasts one second- and two third-place trophies from previous appearances.

Senior defender Pile is one of four Mavericks who will graduate with the championship after playing in all four semifinal appearances for Nebraska-Omaha.

"It's awesome," Pile said. "It's the only way to go out."

Semifinals

First half: CN -- Jennifer Bock (Rebecca Angus) 13:53; SP -- Meredith Teague (Shannon Oakes), 28:31; CN -- Rebecca Angus (unassisted) 43:47.

Second half: SP -- Shannon Lovejoy (penalty kick) 58:20; SP -- Carolyn Nason (Teague) 70:29.

Shots: Seattle Pacific 28, Carson-Newman 19. Goalkeeper saves: Seattle Pacific (Jennifer Burns 6, Katie Ruggles 1) 7, Carson-Newman (Nyssa Griffin) 13. Corner kicks: Seattle Pacific 5, Carson-Newman 10.

First half: FP -- Laura Hislop (Kristen Lake) 18:32; NO -- Brandie Beale (Beth McGill) 27:01.

Second half: NO -- Amanda Iwansky (unassisted) 61:01.

Shots: Nebraska-Omaha 20, Franklin Pierce 10. Goalkeeper saves: Nebraska-Omaha (Amy Price) 2, Franklin Pierce (Jenna Mello) 8. Corner kicks: Nebraska-Omaha 12, Franklin Pierce 4.

Championship game

First half: SP -- Megan Lienhard (Sarah Martinez) 7:24; NO -- Amber Richardson (unassisted) 9:52.

Overtime: NO -- Brandie Beale (Richardson, Tara Wegehaupt), 93:03.

Shots: Nebraska-Omaha 22, Seattle Pacific 10. Goalkeeper saves: Nebraska-Omaha (Amy Price) 5, Seattle Pacific (Jennifer Burns) 4. Corner kicks: Nebraska-Omaha 5, Seattle Pacific