Salem, Va. – The Washington University in St. Louis women's soccer team will play for the NCAA National Championship on Saturday afternoon after defeating Messiah 4-2 in penalty kicks on Thursday evening in the National Semifinal.
 
The Bears will face California Lutheran for a chance to win the program's second National Title.
 
After remaining tied 1-1 following two overtime periods, the Bears' first kicker, Jessica Greven, hit her attempt. Senior goalkeeper Sidney Conner saved Messiah's Hannah Adair's shot to give WashU a 1-0 edge.
 
Grace Ehlert's shot was saved by Messiah goalkeeper Ava Wert and Julia Martin made her kick to tie things up 1-1.
 
Senior Tyler Wilson followed with a made shot and Conner then stopped Kristina Akselsen's attempt for a 2-1 Bears' edge.
 
Anna Viscovich netted her shot and Kaitlyn Laird followed with a made shot for the Falcons.
 
Ally Hackett sealed the deal for the Bears with a made shot to send WashU to the National Championship game for the fourth time in program history.
 
WashU got on the board first at the 15:38 mark as Meryl McKenna got a foot on the ball which was deflected by a defender and flew past the diving goalkeeper.
 
With less than three minutes remaining in the first half, Akselsen scored on a pass from Adair to make it 1-1.
 
After a scoreless first overtime, the Bears nearly ended things with 12 seconds left as a breakaway shot for Ehlert was stopped by Wert.
 
WashU edged Messiah 17-15 in shots while each had seven on goal.
 
Conner made six saves in the net, plus her two saves in the penalty kick round. Four of those saves came in the first half.
 
Ehlert led the Bears with four shots including three on goal.