WHEATON CLAIMS NCAA TITLE ON PENALTY KICKS OVER PUGET SOUND

GREENSBORO, North Carolina - Wheaton won the 2004 NCAA Division III women's soccer national championship by virtue of a 5-4 advantage over the University of Puget Sound on Saturday, November 27 in a game played in Greensboro, North Carolian. It marks the first team title for a CCIW women's team since the league began sponsoring women's sports starting in 1986-87. The Thunder of head coach Pete Felske had a remarkable season, finishing with a 25-1 overall record and only allowing eight goals scored all season. After losing the first game of the year to Washington 1-0 back on September 3, Wheaton ripped off 25 straight victories, including a 3-1 semi-final victory over namesake Wheaton (Mass) on Friday, November 26.

In the championship game Puget Sound took a 1-0 lead and that marked the first time that the Thunder had trailed since that season opening loss. A goal by Mary Doleshal off an assist from Ashley Wiersma knotted the game in the 61st minute. The game ended 1-1 after regulation and two 10 minute overtime periods failed to decide anything. In the penalty kick shootout Wheaton scored on all five attempts while Thunder goalkeeper Ashley Vratil stopped the Loggers second attempt with what proved to be the difference in the game. Erin Wingerter, Laura Koontz, Jessica Elsen, Hannah Tan and Bethany Barton scored the penalty kick goals.

Jennifer Binger led the high scoring Wheaton attack with 23 goals this season while Wiersma added 19, Sara Johnson had 18 and Sarah Richardson chipped in with 13.

After cruising through the conference season unbeaten, Wheaton defeated Augustana (2-0) and Illinois Wesleyan (5-1) in the CCIW tournament. The Thunder opened NCAA play with a 5-0 demolition of Hope on November 13, beat Chicago 3-0 on November 19 and Christopher Newport 4-0 on November 20 before heading to the Final Four.