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ITHACA, N.Y. -- Third-seeded Nazareth outlasted second-seeded Stevens in an extra penalty kick session Saturday following a 1-1 tie in women's soccer as the Golden Flyers advanced to Sunday's Empire 8 Conference championship game. Nazareth connected on three penalty kicks to one for the Ducks to enable the Golden Flyers to move on.

Nazareth, at 9-5-5 overall, will play top-seeded Ithaca Sunday at 12 p.m. for the conference title and an automatic berth to the NCAA Division III Tournament. Stevens finished the season at 10-6-2. Ithaca, ranked eighth nationally in Division III, improved to 17-1-1 overall with a 2-0 win over St. John Fisher in the other E8 playoff game Saturday.

Nazareth and Stevens played to a 1-1 tie through 90 minutes of regulation play and 20 minutes of overtime. Nazareth won the penalty kick sessions with goals from senior Amanda Sudore and juniors Olivia Derleth and Anne Czelusniak. Sophomore Emily McGaffic misfired on her attempt.

Stevens missed its first two attempts -- Bridgette Barden's shot hit the cross bar and Gia Gonales' attempt was saved by Nazareth keeper Abbie Carey. Nicole Serino was successful on Stevens' third attempt, but Carey saved the Ducks' final attempt by Kristen Gonclaves to enable the Golden Flyers to move on.

Nazareth gained an early lead when senior Sarah Eichelberger scored her sixth goal of the season in the third minute of play off as assist from sophomore Elizabeth Howell. Stevens answered in the 18th minute when Lindsay Stoll scored off a rebound of her own shot to gain an unassisted tally.

Each team then had eight shots in the second half, while Stevens had a 5-1 advantage in shots during overtime. Nazareth finished with a 9-2 edge in corner kicks overall.

Carey made eight saves for the Golden Flyers, while Melissa Murphy had six for the Ducks.

"This is where we want to be," said Nazareth Coach Gail Mann. "We'll put our best foot forward tomorrow and see what happens."

Playing Ithaca in the conference final will be nothing new for the Golden Flyers, who will meet the Bombers for the eighth time with the E8 title on the line. Nazareth is seeking its first E8 title since 2006 and its first NCAA Tournament berth since 2008.