BUCKHANNON – In late August, the Mountain East Conference released their pre-season women's soccer poll.

The Lady Bobcats were third.

This was after making a deep run in the NCAA Division II Tournament last year.

For the 2015 Lady Bobcats, they proved their doubters wrong after winning the MEC Tournament championship by a 1-0 score in a thrilling double overtime contest today at Culpepper Stadium.

The tournament championship followed up a regular-season championship for the Lady Bobcats.

"For us to prove people wrong, I am so proud of what the team accomplished," remarked head coach Patrick Holguin. "After we lost so many seniors last year, there were a lot of people counting us out. I kept telling everyone how talented our younger players were, they just hadn't had their chance yet."

Ninety minutes of regulation couldn't produce a winner in the contest.

"We put some pressure on them early and then the tide turned and Charleston took over for a while," said Holguin. "I will say this about Charleston, they really do a great job of possessing the ball, but we were patient and didn't get frustrated."

The winning goal came at the 102nd minute of the second overtime period.

Kelsie Hibbs set things in motion when she intercepted a pass just inside the midfield line and took it down the right sideline. She sent a pass to Colette Biondi who sent it back to her down in the right corner.

Hibbs then sent a cross that Charleston keeper Zoe Zyta put her hands on but the deflection went to Jane Schleicher who headed the ball over to Kelsey Sitka, who put in the game-winner from just left of net a few yards out.

"Sitka scored the game winner and I am proud of her, but it was a team effort for the entire game," remarked Holguin. "We always talk about mental toughness, keeping our focus and winning games. All year we have found a way to win and deny teams from scoring goals."

Wesleyan owned a 15-10 lead in shots and an 11-6 margin in shots-on-goal.

Wesleyan keeper Hillary Dewitt turned away all six shots she faced.

It was DeWitt's and Wesleyan's 18th shutout of the season.

The Lady Bobcats had a 6-3 lead in corner kicks.

Holguin praised the leadership of his team as one of the main reasons for the success this year of the Lady Bobcats.

"Our leadership really grew and matured this year," he stated. "I think it has really been the difference this year. Our captains have demanded more and more from the team and has taught them how to win and compete."

Three Lady Bobcats were named to the MEC All-Tournament Team. They were Mary Cooper, Rachel Ritchey and Schleicher.

The Lady Bobcats (17-0-3) will now wait until Monday evening for the NCAA Division II Women's Soccer Selection show to see if they will host the regional tournament and who they will face.

"We have never been in this situation before but we are really excited about it," concluded Holguin. "But there is the unknown. I hope those three ties don't cost us a chance to host. To go into the Selection Show with no losses and 18 shutouts is wonderful. There is an excitement to see who and where we play. I think it would be great for Wesleyan and the soccer community if we could host a national tournament game."

(Photo courtesy of Peter Galarneau Jr.)