Burnaby, B.C. – In a tense defensive match, SFU emerged through the fog as Champions for the third time in a row by beating Western Washington University 5-4 in PKs after the score was deadlocked 0-0 after 110 minutes of play.

In the penalty shootout, Sarah Loewen was able to dive to her right and stop the shot attempt of WWU's Claire Potter to give SFU the early advantage. Sofia Faremo, Sarah Caravatta, Alyssa Clark, and Jensa Napier-Ganley would all bury their shootout attempts, with Carins, Muscutt, Connell and Hardin responding for WWU. That set the stage for Captain Eve LaFontaine to step up to take the fifth shot for SFU with PKs tied 4-4. With fog on the field for dramatic effect, LaFontaine's shot to the bottom right corner made its way past Ellie McGowan to set off the celebrations. With the win, SFU becomes the second program to win three straight tournament titles, joining Western Washington (2015-17).


3-Peat! SFU women win PK shootout for GNAC title - Great Northwest Athletic Conference 

Prior to the shootout, fans were treated to a back-and-forth game full of plenty of offensive chances and great fantastic play by both sides. Kaiden Sherwood, who was incredibly dangerous all game long in SFU's 1-0 semifinal win over Western Oregon on Thursday night, had SFU's first good chance of the afternoon at the 5-minute mark with a great run down the right side of the field before defenders forced to her take a shot from outside the box that was easily handled by McGowan. WWU would fire 4 shots on goal at Loewen, but the senior stood her ground, making all 4 saves.

SFU would get 4 consecutive corner kick opportunities in the 33^rd minute, but the WWU backline held strong to keep the ball out of the back of the net. In the 43^rd minute, Western Washington thought they had gotten on the board after Cairns deflected a free kick past Loewen, but the play was called back due to an offside and send the teams into halftime tied 0-0 

The best chance of the second half came on a misjudged long ball from WWU went over Loewen's head but luckily bounced over the top of the top of the net. That was Loewen's only mistake of the night, as she would stop another 3 shots in the second half and the defensive play of SFU thwarted WWU's opportunities. SFU's backline of Kate Smith, Elyse Beaudry, Abbey Simpson, and LaFontaine was strong all night.

Fog would set in for the overtime periods, with neither team able to generate great chances in the first overtime period. Kiera Scott, who was battling through an injury all game, almost ended the game in the 107^th minute with a long-range strike that McGowan was able to just get a finger on to tip it off the crossbar. With no one able to beat keepers Loewen and McGowan after 110 minutes of play, it was off to penalty kicks.

Goalkeeper Loewen was named GNAC Championship Most Valuable Player for her two shutout victories and was joined by Forward Sherwood, Midfielder Chelsea Crocq (who was Thursday night's hero), and Defender LaFontaine on the All-Tournament team.

UP NEXT:
With the win, SFU has earned their spot in the NCAA Division II Women's Soccer Championship, with the 2025 NCAA Div. II Women's Soccer Selection Show taking place on Monday, November 17th at 6:30 PM ET on NCAA.com. The First Round will start on November 20^th, with the National Championship Final set for Saturday, December 13^th, 2025.