ORLANDO, Fla. – USF claimed the 2017 American Athletic Conference Women’s Soccer Championship title and an automatic bid to the NCAA Women’s Soccer Championship after defeating No. 1-seed UCF, 5-3, in penalty kicks.
The game ended in a shootout after the teams finished 90 minutes of regulation and two overtime periods in a scoreless 0-0 draw.
In the shootout, Most Outstanding Defensive Player Kat Elliott turned aside UCF’s fourth penalty kick, and with the Bulls ahead 4-3, Kelli Burney buried her attempt to clinch the title.
Both teams had a number of scoring opportunities throughout regulation and the overtimes, but Elliott and her counterpart, UCF goalkeeper Vera Varis, turned aside every shot through 110 minutes.