PHILADELPHIA WINS CACC WOMEN'S SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP

November 1, 2006

PHILADELPHIA, PA - Philadelphia University's Kyra Downing scored the fifth and final penalty kick Wednesday night to seal the Rams' first-ever Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) Women's Soccer Tournament Championship over Holy Family University. The Rams defeated the Tigers, 5-4, in a penalty kick shootout after regulation and two overtime periods ended with the score knotted at 1-1.

The match was played at Drexel University's Vidas Field and was originally scheduled for Saturday, but was postponed due to inclement weather at Tryon Field in Rutherford, NJ.

Holy Family, who was the second-seed in the tournament, took an early 1-0 lead in the 23rd minute as Kaitlin Gavaghan scored on an assist from Ashley Smith. Smith passed the ball over the Ram defense and Gavaghan beat Ram goalkeeper Sara Hall one-on-one.

Philadelphia actually had a chance to tie the score at the end of the half, but, the clock expired before the ball crossed the goal line.

The Rams, the top-seed in the tournament, tied the score in the 49th minute when Heather Walton scored on a Christy Bauckman cross. Both teams then went scoreless for the rest of the second half and the two overtime periods.

In the shootout, Holy Family went first. Calli Nagle scored on her first shot, followed by Ram Jessica Aaron. Brianne Redelheim then scored on the second attempt and Melissa McMullen answered to tie the shootout at 2-all.

Melissa Gamble was successful on the Tigers' third attempt followed by Ram Brianna Reinford's successful kick. Holy Family's final successful kick was by Smith, followed by Walton for Philadelphia. Jamie Lynn Wallace then missed on the Tigers fifth and final attempt, allowing Dowling to punch it in and give the Rams the win.

Hall and Tiger goalkeeper Kelly McGrogan both made nine saves on the evening and Reinford was named the MVP of the Tournament. The rest of the All-Tournament team is listed below.

2006 All-Tournament Team

Brianna Reinford, Phildelphia (MVP)

Michele Petruzzi, Philadelphia

Rebecca Kennedy, Philadelphia

Kelly David, Philadelphia

Sara Hall, Philadelphia

Maureen Hampton, Holy Family

Kaitlin Gavaghan, Holy Family

Kelly McGrogan, Holy Family

Katherine Torode, Georgian Court

Vanessa Piepszak, Georgian Court

Shannon Firetto, Post