LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – The Thomas University Women's soccer team was on the cusp of dethroning three-time A.I.I. Tournament Champion Georgia Gwinnett, but the Grizzlies had the upper hand in Penalty Kicks, winning 4-3 to take home another A.I.I. title Saturday night at the Grizzly Soccer Complex.
 
Thomas (7-5-2) outshot its opposition 15-9, including a first half in which the Hunter Green & White limited GGC (8-5-1) to two shots.  Goalkeepers Freshman Emily Lamoreaux and Sophomore Jordin Sanchez saw split time in net.
 
The Night Hawks saw nine shots in the first half, including a set piece corner from Sophomore Hadas Prawer to Sophomore Jade Guyton whose shot was saved by Grizzlies' Matilda Johansson.
 
TU saw another brilliant set piece opportunity in the 43rd minute with a throw-in from Senior Taylor Hults, who found Sophomore Jana Pastorek, setting up a pass to Sophomore Ayla Aiduck.  The Orlando, Fla. native's cross pass was deflected by Johansson and headed towards Junior Matti Campbell for the finishing touch, but the Crystal Lake, Fla. product's attempt was off target.
 
With just seconds remaining in the first half, a TU foul set up a free kick opportunity for the Grizzlies' Gabby Bishop, but Lamoreaux was in position to make the save as both teams went into halftime with the score nil-nil.
 
Sanchez entered the match in the second half, coming away with two saves.  The Night Hawks saw another dangerous chance to take the lead in the 47th minute with a Pastorek shot, but the ball hit the top right corner of the net's frame and bounced back.  In the 73rd minute, TU would see yet another scoring chance slip by the wayside, as Sophomore Analeice Wilkes' bender hit the right post.
 
Georgia Gwinnett made a late offensive push, coming up with four shots in the final 11 minutes and 30 seconds of regulation, but the Grizzlies only saw one of those shots on target.
 
The Night Hawks saw its title hopes flash before their eyes, as the Grizzlies would see its best scoring chance in the second set of extra time, but Sanchez came through for the Hunter Green & White as the Palm Bay, Fla. native made a spectacular, diving save in the 105th minute.
 
With both teams still at an impasse after regulation and two overtime periods, it all came down to penalty kicks.  GGC sent out its leading scorer first in Kyara Armenta, who delivered for a 1-0 lead.  Sophomore Kylie Lawson would look for the equalizing PK, but the curse of the crossbar would strike again, denying TU the tying goal.
 
After the Grizzlies scored on its second PK, Pastorek got Thomas on the board, slotting the shot in the right corner to cut the PK line 2-1 in favor of GGC.  Pastorek's goal was matched by a third, straight good PK from the Grizzlies.  Freshman Jade Slaybaugh was up next in the Night Hawk lineup, as the Navarre, Fla. hit top shelf to remain a goal down (3-2).
 
Natalie Ferrin did not make things easier for the Hunter Green & White, extending GGC's PK lead to 4-2, forcing Thomas in a do-or-die situation.  Wilkes took the fourth PK for the Night Hawks and converted, keeping TU alive.
 
The hopes of Night Hawk nation increased when GGC's All-American Joy Mertzig's shot was saved by Sanchez, setting up Hults for the game-tying PK and to keep the match going.  The penalty kick was not meant to be, however, as Hults' shot went wide left to secure Georgia Gwinnett's fourth, consecutive A.I.I. title.
 
While the Night Hawks may be bringing back the Finalist hardware, the team will now turn its attention towards the NAIA Opening Round.  Thomas will await Monday's announcement to find out where and who they will play on Thursday.
 
For up-to-date information on this match and other TU Athletics, visit http://www.TUNightHawks.com.  Stay up-to-date with news, scores, photos, game summaries, play-by-play, and feature stories of TU women's soccer by following them on Twitter at @NightHawksWSocc.