The Mules (15-3-2) captured their third CC title in four years and earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, which begins on Wednesday, Nov. 12. Pairing for the tournament will be announced Sunday night and posted on Monday’s Mule Sports Daily.

The victory gave Muhlenberg a measure of revenge for the Bullets’ 1-0 double-overtime win in the semifinals of last year’s CC playoffs – the only home loss suffered by the Mules to a CC team the last four years.

“It’s so exciting for us,” said Monica Jones, one of six seniors who has been a part of all three championships. “Last year we were knocked out and it’s one of the most devastating feelings as a soccer player. I felt for our seniors. This year it’s total elation.”

That elation did not come easily. In a first half marked by much play between the 18s and few scoring chances, Muhlenberg capitalized on a free kick awarded when Rebecca Armstrong was fouled about 20 yards out near the right sideline. Amari’s free kick floated over the head of Bullet goalie Katie Simmons and struck the inside of the netting on the far post.

Gettysburg (12-5-2) turned up the pressure in the second half, outshooting the Mules, 7-2. Freshman goalkeeper Kayla Boisvert made a diving save on Katie Myers just two minutes after intermission and withstood a flurry of four shots and three corner kicks that began with 18 minutes left.

Boisvert made another save, her third of the game, with 5:44 to play, and the back three of Amari, senior Katrina Custance and junior Maureen McLaughlin kept the Bullets from getting another shot at tying the score.

Muhlenberg began its CC season in less than championship form, dropping its opener to McDaniel, 2-1, on Sept. 20, but has not lost since. The Mules will go into the NCAAs with a 12-match unbeaten streak.

“We’ve played really well since that first game when we got off to a rough start,” noted Dawn Iberer, who has played in every game the last four years, helping the team to an outstanding record of 62-17-4. “We’ve been building to this all year.

“I think we have a chance to win some games [in the NCAAs],” she added. “This team has so much heart and we’ve been playing awesome.”

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