FLORENCE, Ala. - The University of North Alabama claimed the 2015 Gulf South Conference Women's Soccer Championship 4-3 on penalty kicks over Lee University after the two teams battled to a scoreless tie through regulation play and two overtime periods.

Stacey Webber delivered the game winner for North Alabama after UNA goalkeeper Shelby Thornton had stopped a Lee attempt at 3-3. Thornton, the tournament's Most Outstanding Player, recorded her second straight shutout with five saves.

North Alabama is 15-2-2 and Lee is 11-4-4.

With the win, North Alabama earns an automatic bid to the 2015 NCAA Division II South Regional Tournament which begins November 13.

Lee led UNA in shot attempts with 17 to the Lions' 13. The Flames goalkeeper Haley Gribler had four saves.

The GSC title was the second for the UNA women's soccer program with the first coming in 2011. The match marked the sixth time in the last seven years that the Lions played in the championship match. The GSC championship is the first for current UNA head coach Chris Walker.

North Alabama, the second ranked team in the NCAA Division II South Region, will find out Monday who it will play and where in the regional.


PHOTOS BY MELANIE HODGES AND JOSEPH ROMANS


Alyssa Bova with the Championship Trophy


Let the celebration begin . .


Lions celebrate the 2015 GSC Championship


Alyssa Bova (14) defends as Shelby Thornton makes a save


We are the Champions . . .


Susan Lang, Melanie Leonida, Stacey Webber, Eleanor Costello, Chloe Richards


Kristen Sinden


Shelby Thornton


Beatriz Fernandes


Alyssa Bova


Stacey Webber


Chloe Richards