WASHINGTON – It took 100 minutes, double overtime and a shootout as The Catholic University of America advanced to the Landmark Conference Championship game with at 3-1 shootout victory at No. 2 Juniata on Wednesday night. 

The No. 19 nationally-ranked Cardinals played at Juniata to a scoreless draw after four frames, but CUA came up big in the shootout to advance to a sixth-straight conference title game.

Junior goalkeeper Analisa Scott held Juniata scoreless through regular time with five saves and gave way to sophomore keeper Sophia Hamilton who came up with two saves including an impressive showing in the penalty shootout to send CUA back to the championship.

Juniata outshot Catholic 13-6 and totaled 13 penalty corners to CUA's six, but the Cards' defense would not break, forcing the shootout. 

Sophomore forward Rachel Day opened the deciding penalty-shot period with a goal and Hamilton answered with a huge save on the opposite end. Juniata was able to even it up on the next round but sophomore back Kelly Cousoulis went five-hole on the next chance to give CUA a one-goal lead.

Hamilton came up with another massive save on Juniata's next chance as senior Hayley Wright put home the game-clincher to push Catholic back to the championship round.

The No. 3 Cardinals will now travel to No. 1 Elizabethtown with the conference title and trip to the NCAA Tournament on the line this Saturday.