The Western New York Flash of the Women’s Premier Soccer League Elite (WPSL) defeated the Chicago Red Stars in penalty kicks in the Championship game on July 27 at Sahlen’s Stadium to claim its third straight title.

The Red Stars would lost some players, as Captain Lori Chalupny sprained her ankle and Ella Masar pulled her hamstring at the same time.

Chicago’s 18-year-old Ashleigh Ellenwood passed the ball in the net to give the Red Stars a 1-0 lead.

Flash goalkeeper Brittany Cameron kept the Flash in the game with some huge saves as the Flash left only 2 defenders back to try and equalize.

In the dying moments of stoppage time, substitute Toni Pressley received a pass from Canadian International Jodi-Ann Robinson and struck a left footed shot from outside of the box. The ball hit the crossbar and went over the line to send the game into overtime.

“I focused on getting the shot off,” Pressley said. “I didn’t think it went in at first.

Throughout the two over time halves, the WNY Flash had good possession but was unable to capitalize.

Defender Nikki Marshall was named MVP of the game.

This championship marked the third straight title for the WNY Flash, who took the W-League title in 2010 and the WPS title last year.

Coach Aaran Lines said that one of the more difficult tasks with his young players is to “make them believe that they are good enough to win.” Lines said the team this season was “tremendous.”

“Nothing’s easy,” Cameron said, “We didn’t stop trying until that final whistle.”