December 3 (2016)

Megan Wolf scores on the deciding penalty kick to lift Washington University to the NCAA Division III women’s championship in a shootout over five-time titlist Messiah in Salem, Va. Regulation and overtime end in a 1-1 tie. Washington U. prevails, 5-4, on PKs for the school’s only NCAA title in men’s or women’s soccer. Washington U. nearly wins the game in regulation. Taylor Cohen puts Washington U. ahead in the 72nd minute, but Messiah scores in the 84th minute. Following 20 minutes of scoreless overtime, Caroline Dempsey, Kelly Von Zup, Jessica Kovach and Gillian Myers convert Washington U.’s first four PKs to set up the deciding PK from Wolf. Washington U. finishes with a 19-2-3 record. Goalkeeper Lizzy Crist is the NCAA Championship’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player for the second consecutive season. Teammate Katie Chandler, who scored twice in the semifinals, is the tournament’s Most Outstanding Offensive Player. Cohen and defender Megan Nicklay are named to the all-tournament team. The victory over Messiah avenges a 1-0 loss to Williams in the 2015 NCAA Division III final.