GAMBIER, Ohio – The Kenyon College Ladies claimed their first-ever North Coast Athletic Conference women's soccer championship with a 3-1 win over Allegheny College Saturday afternoon at Mavec Field.
The Ladies' victory, their eighth in the last nine matches, also secures an NCAA Tournament bid for the first time since 2006.

Things didn't start out well for Kenyon as Allegheny found a penalty kick shot just 55 seconds into the match.

As Greta Hilbrands dribbled into the box, she was tripped up resulting in the referee's whistle being blown. Hilbrands then converted the PK to the left corner of the net giving the Gators a 1-0 lead.

The Ladies' slow start came to an end though in the 27th minute courtesy of Marie Laube and Maggie Smith. The junior defender, who had been solid all season on free kicks, delivered a pass to a cutting Smith in the goalie's box and Smith did the rest tying the match at 1-1.

Kenyon's go-ahead score came on another assist from Laube in the 31st minute. After an Allegheny foul, Laube sent another free kick into the box and Gillian Blackwell fired a shot to give Kenyon a 2-1 lead. It was Blackwell's first goal of the season.

Senior Becca Romaine added an insurance goal for Kenyon in the 75th minute. Romaine struck from about 20 yards out to the left corner of the net pushing the top-seeded Ladies' lead to 3-1.

The Gators tried battling back into the match in the second half but their attempts were thwarted by the Ladies' defense. Allegheny had three on-goal shots but all were saved by Alissa Poolpol who tallied seven saves in the victory.

Allegheny out-shot Kenyon 20-8 and had a 3-1 advantage in corners.

The Ladies will wait and see where they play in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. First and second round games begin November 14-16.