BOX SCORE

LORETTO, Pa. (Nov. 6, 2011) – After dueling to a 1-1 double-OT draw through 110 minutes, the Long Island Blackbirds edged top-seeded Saint Francis University, 4-3, in penalty kicks to claim the 2011 Northeast Championship in front of 524 at DeGol Field on Sunday.

The Blackbirds (12-7-1), who won their third league title, now advance to the NCAA Women's College Cup.  The Red Flash ends its season with a mark of 12-6-3 after a pair of ties in tournament play.

The Blackbirds struck first in the Championship match, tallying a goal just 11 minutes into the first half as Ruby Leon tipped in a pass from Kayleigh Morgan to beat diving Red Flash goalkeeper Brianna Butcher (East Longmeadow, Mass./East Longmeadow). Saint Francis answered in the second half by scoring its first goal of the tournament in the 69th minute. A long cross from Mackenzie Walter (Hollidaysburg, Pa./Hollidaysburg) deflected off of the crossbar and fell at the feet of Stephanie Boulter (Poolesville, Md./Poolesville), who knocked in the rebound.

The Red Flash controlled the tempo offensively for much of the afternoon – particularly in the second half – but couldn't sneak a shot past LIU keeper Jennifer Bannon. Saint Francis outshot Long Island 16-to-9 with six Flash shots requiring a save from Bannon, who went on to claim tournament MVP honors.

Butcher along with defenders Katy LaBella (Warwick, R.I./Toll Gate) and Jennifer Brennan (Northport, N.Y./Northport) earned spots on the all-tournament team.  The three were critical to a Saint Francis defense that led the NEC with nine shutouts on the season.

A junior, Butcher played an outstanding tournament highlighted by her performance in Friday's shootout win over Sacred Heart.  She also made two a pair of spectacular diving saves in the blink of an eye to keep the score 1-0 in Sunday's final.