KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- A focused and determined Houghton women's soccer team claimed the program's first-ever national title, defeating top-seeded Mississippi College in a penalty kick shootout at the National Christian College Athletic Association Division I Championship game Saturday in Kissimmee, Fla.

Seniors Sarah Gabriele (Mahwah, NJ, Eastern Christian) and Shawna Sprout (Portville, NY, Portville Central) were the heroes on the day. Gabriele scored the game-tying goal with one second left in regulation to send the game to OT, while Sprout stifled the Choctaws final PK attempt.

It is the first national title for a Houghton women's team and the first championship for any Houghton team since men's soccer claimed the NCCAA title in 1986.

This one was evenly played from the start, with most of the action taking place in the midfield and neither team able to muster many dangerous scoring opportunities. The Choctaws surged ahead 1-0 in the 29th minute when a corner kick from Meghan Mauzy found the head of teammate Caitlin Hayes. Sprout had no chance to stop the quick header from three yards out.

Getting his team to effectively defend against corners has been a season-long frustration for Head Coach David Lewis, so he was a bit concerned after the goal. "After their score, initially we thought 'here we go again,'" said Lewis. "It took a little of the win out of our sails. We were possessing the ball really well to that point."

Mississippi continued to press, but could only manage two more shots over the final 16 minutes of the half. They held a 5-1 shots advantage after the first 45 minutes.

The second half was more of the same, with scoring chances few and far between. But down by a goal and with time ticking away, the Highlanders began to play with more urgency, trying to penetrate the Choctaw back line. 

Houghton's final push came as the clock entered the final seconds. The Highlanders sent in a long pass just outside the Choctaw 18-yard box and a hard foul by a Mississippi defender resulted in a yellow card and a stopped clock with just 1.7 seconds left. Given the limited time, the only option for Gabriele was to send her free kick straight toward the goal. And the senior's aim was true. Her low-driven 25-yard shot found its way straight through a crowd of teammates and defenders into the back of the net with a second left. It was Gabriele's team-leading 13th goal of the campaign.

After two 10-minute sessions of extra play, the score remained knotted at one, sending the game to a five-shot penalty kick shootout.

Gabriele converted her attempt, while Mississippi's first shot caromed off the right post. Meagan Barry (Amherst, NY, Williamsville North) and Torri Sperl (Saugerties, NY, Saugerties) each scored for the Highlanders, but both were answered by successful shots from the Choctaws. After Kristi Spotts (Lititz, PA, Warwick) converted to put Houghton up 4-2, the Choctaws needed a goal to extend the game. However, Sprout guessed correctly on the next attempt, moving to her right, gathering in the shot and sending the Houghton players and fans into a frenzy.

Final shots were 15-10 in favor of Mississippi College. Sprout finished with six saves on the afternoon. Gabriele led the team with four shots, including three on goal. Bailey Shattell (Syracuse, NY, Faith Heritage) added three shots.

After 25 years, 12 appearances in NAIA National Tournaments and four-straight at this event, Lewis now has a national championship for his resume, but he is quick to direct all the praise to his team. "I just feel so happy for the players. They really worked for it. They gave a great effort. To see all their hard work come to fruition is really rewarding to me," said Lewis. "To see their faces, the excitement, the parents coming over at the end, it made it all worth it. They stayed focused the entire tournament. They never said 'if we win'. They were focused on the championship. It's unlike any of the other teams I've taken to a national tournament."

Mississippi College, an NCAA Division II school, came in with a 15-3-4 record and the tournament's #1 seeding. During the season they defeated defending NCCAA champion Lee University.

The win gives the Highlanders a final record of 16-6-2. Mississippi ends their campaign at 15-4-4.
 
No. 2 seeded Houghton was a perfect 3-0 to win Pool A. Mississippi won Pool A with a record of 2-0-1.

After losing to Stevens in the Empire 8 Conference semifinals, the Highlanders reeled off six-straight post-season wins, outscoring opponents 18-1.

Read the NCCAA coverage of the championship.