KANSAS CITY, Mo. – [Box Score | Championship Photo Recap] In perhaps one of the most exhilarating finishes in NAIA Women’s Soccer Championship history, Tennessee Southern outlasted William Carey (Miss.) in a 3-3 tie to take the title after earning the win in penalty kicks 5-4. The championship was Tennessee Southern’s third in team history.

The first half started with a bevy of scoring chances and three quick goals in the first 14 minutes. William Carey converted on a free kick in just the third minute to give the No. 1-seed a 1-0 lead. Maria Corral Pinon took the set piece and placed a nearly perfect ball in the air for Veronica Herrera to head past Gabby Kennedy to make it a 1-0 match.

Just over three minutes later, Tennessee Southern tied it up. Keito Ido, the nation’s leading scorer, took full advantage of a setup from Yuki Watari, to make it a 1-1 match. The goal was Ido’s 39^th of the season and fourth of the final site.

The Firehawks grabbed their first lead of the match in the 13^th minute. Adisa Amang capitalized after beating both a defender and the keeper to tap the ball into a wide open net to give her squad a 2-1 lead.

Ana Paula Santos tied it in the 31^st minute to keep the Crusaders in it. The senior beat multiple defenders and netted a goal from just inside the box on a cutback move to tie the match at two.

In the 40^th minute, the top-seed regained the lead. Laia Sedo recorded her sixth goal of the season on an unassisted effort just in front of the net to make it 3-2 William Carey heading into halftime.

With just under 20 minutes remaining in the match, Estelle Badoedana Ekada tied the match. The junior netted her 23^rd of the season, which proved to be the goal that forced overtime.

After two scoreless overtime periods, it came down to penalties, where Tennessee Southern matched William Carey critical goal and big save, one after another. In the end, however, it was Lily Fisk that netted the championship penalty kick for the Firehawks. Gabby Kennedy saved the final shot in her final match of her career to secure the red banner for her squad.

After the match, the all-tournament team was announced…

Goalkeeper – Gabby Kennedy, Tennessee Southern

Defender – Veronica Herrera, William Carey (Miss.)

Defender – Laura Riesnbeck, Central Methodist (Mo.)

Defender – Laurie Potvin, William Carey

Defender – Carly Moss, Oregon Tech

Midfielder – Ana Paula Santos, William Carey (Miss.)

Midfielder – Yuki Watari, Tennessee Southern

Midfielder – Sandra Jackson, Central Methodist (Mo.)

Midfielder – Andrea Villar, Central Methodist (Mo.)

Forward – Keito Ido, Tennessee Southern

Forward – Adisa Amang, Tennessee Southern

Forward – Estelle Badoedana Ekada, Tennessee Southern

Forward – Mehana Ortiz, Oregon Tech

2021 NAIA Most Outstanding Offensive Player – Adisa Amang, Tennessee Southern

2021 NAIA Most Outstanding Defensive Player – Veronica Herrera, William Carey (Miss.)

2021 NAIA Women’s Soccer National Championship Most Valuable Player – Yuki Watari, Tennessee Southern