FROSTBURG, Md. – The Fairmont State women's soccer team (12-3-5, 10-3-3 Mountain East Conference) won the program's first MEC Championship by defeating Frostburg State (18-1-2, 14-1-1) in penalty kicks 4-3 on Sunday (Nov. 6) afternoon at Bobcat Stadium in Frostburg, Md.
 
"This win is special for the whole team," said Fairmont State head coach Kernell Borneo. "We knew our strengths defensively and defended well. Both teams had chances throughout the match and we pushed through in PKs. I am happy for the program and for the players."
 
The defensive effort was led by senior goalkeeper Taylor Kennedy. Kennedy made 13 saves, the second-highest total in any MEC tournament game.
 
"Taylor is a competitor and is mentally tough," said Borneo. "Our team feels confident with her in goal."
 
Kennedy made a huge save in the early minutes of the match. Frostburg State's Toni Fiocco-Mizer found an opening within the first five minutes of the game. Fiocco-Mizer's shot curled toward the left post. Kennedy made a diving save that set the tone for the championship match.
 
The All-MEC First Team goaltender made four saves in the first 15 minutes of the game. The Falcons settled in and fired a pair of shots in the span of two minutes late in the half. Ava Behr and Jessica Schneider tallied shots for Fairmont State in the first half, while All-MEC First Team striker Kiera Kuzinski recorded a shot on goal. The game remained scoreless after one half of play.
 
Fairmont State applied offensive pressure on the Bobcats at the beginning of the second half. Kuzinski registered a shot on target in the 68^th minute, and Lesbia Alejandra Puetro Sorto sent a shot on net in the 69^th minute. Sorto tallied another shot on target in the 74^th minute. Kennedy stopped a pair of Frostburg State shots from entering the net in the final 10 minutes of regulation. Neither team could find the back of the net, and the MEC Championship went to overtime.
 
Schneider flung a shot on target in the 98^th minute of the first overtime period. The Bobcats countered in the final minute and fired a shot on goal before the end of the first overtime. Neither team scored in the first half of overtime. Kennedy saved another shot in the 105^th minute. The deadlock was not broken after overtime, and the game went to penalty kicks.
 
Behr led off the set of penalty kicks and delivered a goal for the Falcons. Frostburg responded with a goal and tied the score at 1-1. Tricia Lemasters converted the second PK for Fairmont State. The Bobcats held serve and the score was tied after two rounds.
 
The Falcons missed the third PK and Frostburg went up 3-2. Tristen Bright laced the fourth kick for the Falcons and evened the score at 3-3. Kennedy stuffed the ensuing Frostburg State kick and kept the score knotted at three. Schneider followed with a make to give Fairmont State a 4-3 lead in the fifth round. The Bobcats' final kick sailed wide left, and the Falcons won their first MEC crown in program history.
 
With the win, the Fighting Falcons earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Regional Women's Soccer Tournament. The tournament field will be set tomorrow (Nov. 7) at 7 p.m. The link for the live stream to the selection show can be found here.