York, Pa. (11/18) – The Thunder men's soccer team edged York College 3-2 in a penalty kick shootout on Saturday in the Sectional Championship of the NCAA Division III Men's Soccer Tournament to advance to the NCAA Division III Men's Soccer Final Four next weekend at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex, near Orlando, Fla. The two team finished regulation and the two overtime periods tied at 0-0 to go into the shootout portion to determine that advancing team. Wheaton is 15-7-4 on the season and York finishes with a record of 21-0-3.

York took a 1-0 lead in the shootout as each team missed its first attempt, Wheaton missed its second and the Spartans capitalized on their second attempt. Thunder junior Strider Elass tied the shootout at 1-1 when he scored on Wheaton's third attempt and goalkeeper made a save on York's third attempt to keep things tied at 1-1. Wheaton's Ben Theimer gave Wheaton a brief 2-1 lead on the fourth attempt, but York tied things at 2-2 on its fourth attempt. Wheaton goalkeeper Ryan Souders and York netminder Ryan Hock each made a save on the fifth attempt by each team to send the shootout into a sudden victory situation. Wheaton's Jonathan Liechty (LEFT) gave Wheaton a 3-2 edge, forcing York to make its next shot, which was saved by Souders to send Wheaton to its first Final Four since 1999 and its fifth appearance overall.

York took 16 shots in the match, while the Thunder had 15. The Spartans held a 13-5 edge in corner kicks. Souders made five saves during the match and Marks had six.

Head coach Joe Bean noted after the match, “This is an amazing way to continue on in the tournament. It was an answer to a lot of prayers.” Bean noted, “(Ryan) Souders (RIGHT) was wonderful. People will remember that he made three saves in the shootout, but he also made three great saves during the match that got us to the shootout.”