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Teaneck, NJ -- It was a battle between the last two Northeast Conference women’s soccer champions and this year's NEC co-regular season champions. Fittingly, the NEC Tournament final went 110 minutes without either team breaking through. But it was second-seeded Saint Francis U that would prevail over top-seeded Fairleigh Dickinson in PKs (3-2) to defend it's title and advance to the NCAA Tournament.

On a rainy Sunday at University Stadium, both teams traded chances in regulation with the best chance coming off the foot of Sofia Albertsson (Stockholm, Sweden/Bromma Gymnasium) in the 69^th minute, but her shot went just wide of the far post.

After the game went to overtime, Albertsson had a chance right in front of the SFU goal in the 94th minute that went just wide of the net. Neither team would find the back of the net through 100 minutes of play and the game headed into a second extra session.

Saint Francis U manufactured its best chance of the match in the 104^th minute when Alyssa McGhee (Altoona, PA/Bishop Gulfoyle) was stopped by a diving Amanda Fitzgerald (Holbrook, NY/Sachem East). The ball caromed to Mariana Jaleca (Sebtubal, Portugal) who hit the post and a third shot from Sara Suler (Hermitage, PA/Hickroy) went high.
 
With no score after 110 minutes of play, penalty kicks decided the NEC title for the first time since 2011 and fifth time in league history.
 
The were tied 2-2 through three rounds. The Red Flash took a 3-2 lead after Dakota Graham (Phoenixville, PA/Phoenixville) converted on her PK attempt. Julia Hernan (Pottstown, PA/The Hill School) turned away FDU's Elma Kolenovic (New York, NY/NYC Lab) in the fourth round. After SFU's game-winning attempt hit the crossbar, Fairleigh Dickinson’s final shot hit the bar as well and Saint Francis U rushed the field in celebration of their back-to-back titles.
 
Overall, Fairleigh Dickinson outshot Saint Francis 18-11. Hernan earned her sixth shutout of the season with six saves in the game, Fitzgerald stopped five shots.
 
The NCAA Division I Women’s Soccer bracket announcement will air on Monday, November 6^th at 4:30 pm ET on NCAA.com. 
 
2017 NEC Women’s Soccer All-Tournament Team
Gabi Morales (SFU), Tournament MVP
Julia Hernan (SFU)
Shannon McGinnis (SFU)
Mariana Jaleca (SFU)
Amanda Fitzgerald (FDU)
Kristina Neri (FDU)
Jessi Reinhardt (FDU)
Shauny Alterisio (CCSU)
Emily Hogan (CCSU)
Kylie Ratelle (BRY)
Alison Guilmette (BRY)