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ITHACA, N.Y. -- Nazareth's women's soccer team went toe to toe with eighth-ranked Ithaca Sunday in the Empire 8 Conference championship game. The official result is a 0-0 tie with the teams being declared conference co-champions. Ithaca, however, gained an automatic berth to the NCAA Division III Tournament by taking a 3-2 edge in the post-game penalty kick session.

Nazareth's record is now 9-5-6 overall, while Ithaca stands at 17-1-2. Nazareth was making its 11th straight appearance in the conference title match. It marked the eighth time that Nazareth and Ithaca have squared off for the title and the fifth time that the teams had to resort to penalty kicks to determine the league's NCAA qualifier. Nazareth also needed penalty kicks to advance following Saturday's 1-1 tie against Stevens.

Ithaca's Amanda Callanan made the decisive penalty kick for the Bombers and was named the tournament MVP. Senior defender Amanda Sudore, junior goalie Abbie Carey and junior forward Olivia Derleth represented Nazareth on the all-tournament team.

Ithaca had an 18-6 advantage in shots and an 11-2 edge in corner kicks, yet the game remained scoreless through 90 minutes of regulation play and 20 minutes of overtime. Carey finished with seven saves for Nazareth to gain credit for the shutout.

Nazareth then converted its first two penalty kicks as Sudore and freshman Dana Donnelly scored. Julie Winn and Rachel Palladino each made kicks for Ithaca. Anna Gray missed on Ithaca's third kick, but Derleth was unsuccessful on her attempt for Nazareth.

After Callanan scored for Ithaca, Nazareth finished with misses by Anne Czelusniak and Mel Gettys, providing the Bombers with the 3-2 margin. Two of Nazareth's six shots came in the second overtime period. A shot by Sarah Eichelberger sailed wide and one by Christine Belding was saved by Ithaca keeper Becca Salant.