Nov. 9, 2008

Annapolis, Md. - The Army Black Knights sent retiring Head Coach Gene Ventriglia out with a bang on Sunday, beating archrival and two-time defending Patriot League Champion Navy, 1-0, in a double overtime thriller to win the 2008 Patriot League Women's Soccer Championship. It is the first Patriot League title for Army since 1993, when the Black Knights defeated Colgate, 5-4 in overtime. Army's win also marked the end of one of the most contentious Patriot League Women's Soccer Tournaments in League history, as it was the first time that all three tournament games required at least one overtime period to determine the victor.

Army, picked to finish sixth in the 2008 Women's Soccer Preseason Poll, will advance as the Patriot League representative to the NCAA Women's College Cup for the first time in program history. The Black Knights will learn their NCAA tournament destination at 8 p.m. on Monday evening, when the NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Selection Show airs on ESPNews.

The entire match was reminiscent of the first meeting between No. 3 Army (12-5-3) and No. 1 Navy (15-4-3) on Oct. 24, a scoreless tie that was highlighted by tremendous defensive efforts by both squads. The first half saw a combined nine shots from both teams, but only one shot-on-goal by Navy freshman defender Katelyn George that was saved by Army's Second-Team All-Patriot League goalkeeper Alex Lostetter. The second half saw Navy play more of the lock-down defense that characterized the Mids' play all season, as Navy allowed Army to take only three shots, all of which were on goal. Navy's First-Team All-Patriot League goalkeeper Lizzie Barnes made three saves in the period. Offensively, the Mids took eight shots, resulting in two more saves by Lostetter.

In the first overtime period, Army's defense took center stage, not allowing a single shot by the Mids while taking four of their own. But in the 105th minute, Army freshman Deanna Clegg came streaking down the center of the field and played it down the right side where teammate Pia White broke in and took a shot near the goalpost that ricocheted in past Barnes for the game-winner.

"It was a great matchup," said 16th-year Navy Head Coach Carin 
Gabarra. "I am very proud of the way we went after it. I was happy 
with both the intensity and attacking mentality we brought to field. 
We had some chances, but we couldn't put them away. I am very proud of 
their effort."

"This is a victory that I will never forget," said Ventriglia, who will retire at the end of the season. "This is a very special team, and today's game versus Navy was a great championship game. Both teams had chances to win and both teams played hard throughout the game."

"I am so proud of what we have accomplished so far this season, and we look forward to representing the U.S. Military Academy and Patriot League at the NCAA Tournament next weekend," he continued.

2008 Patriot League Women's Soccer All-Tournament Team

Sarah Goss, Army, Sr., M (Tournament MVP)

Pia White, Army, Sr., F

Alex Lostetter, Army, So., GK

Elizabeth Betterbed, Army, Jr., D

Shelly Moeller, Navy, Jr., D

Kate Herren, Navy, Fr., M/D

CiAnna Weikle, Navy, Sr., M

Nicole Marotta, Bucknell, Sr., M

Amanda Citron, Bucknell, So., D

Jillian Arnault, Colgate, Sr., M

Calista Victor, Colgate, So., D