SALEM, Va. -- The 14th-ranked Washington and Lee women's soccer team claimed its first-ever ODAC Championship on Saturday afternoon in Salem, Va. After playing 90 minutes of regulation and two 10-minute sudden-victory overtime periods with Lynchburg, the match was decided on penalty kicks, where W&L held a 5-4 advantage. With the victory, the Generals advance to the NCAA Division III National Championships for the first time in school history.

In the first half of play, W&L (15-1-4) held advantages of 4-3 in shots, and 4-2 in corner kicks. The Hornets bounced back in the second half, controlling the ball and outshooting the Generals, 9-2.

When neither team was able to put the ball in the net through the two extra sessions, the match came down to penalty kicks. Both teams converted on their first three opportunites. However, on the Hornets' fourth attempt, W&L sophomore goaltender Emily Barker (Clifton, Va./Mount Vernon) made a diving stop. Tied at 4-4 and with one more try to win, freshman defender Heather Rogers (Atlanta, Ga./Lovett School) converted, giving the Generals the 2002 ODAC Championship.

For the afternoon, Barker turned back six of the Hornets' shots.

In the Lynchburg net, Erin Johnson made four saves. The three-time defending ODAC champion Hornets are now 14-3-5 overall.

Four members of the Generals squad were named to the All-Tournament team. Junior sweeper Meghan Hayde (Massapequa, N.Y./St. Anthony), sophomores Barker and midfielder Romney Willson (Roanoke, Va./Patrick Henry), and freshman midfielder Gina Von Sternberg (Houston, Texas/Episcopal) received honors for their play.

W&L now waits for Sunday evening when it will learn who it will be playing in the first round of the NCAA's.

-- GENERALS --

GOALS
W&L - None
LC - None

ASSISTS
W&L - None
LC - None

GOALKEEPERS
Emily Barker (W&L) 110:00, 0 GA, 6 saves
Erin Johnson (LC) 110:00, 0 GA, 4 saves

TEAM STATS
W&L - 6 shots, 5 corner kicks, 7 saves, 4 fouls, 1 offside
LC - 13 shots, 6 corner kicks, 4 saves, 10 fouls, 0 offsides