Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (11/24) -The Wheaton College women's soccer team advanced to the NCAA Division III National Championship game by defeating Virginia Wesleyan (18-4-4) 2-0 on Friday  This is the second Championship game appearance for the Thunder, who won the 2004 National Championship in its other appearance. Wheaton will face the winner of Friday's other National Semifinal between Messiah College and the College of New Jersey.

Thunder head coach Pete Felske noted after the game, “I am real proud of the way we played today. This team has fought real hard to get to this point and has worked hard to get close to close to our goal of winning a National Championship.”

Wheaton broke a 0-0 tie 2:25 into the second half when freshman forward Taryne Lee headed a cross from senior Laura Koontz. Alyson Webster was also credited with an assist on the play. It was Lee's 20th goal of the season, tying her for second on Wheaton's freshman goal scoring list. Lee noted of the eventual match-winning goal, “It was a perfect ball that was passed to me and it was just perfect timing.”

Just six minutes later, junior Sarah Richardson sent a shot in from the corner off of a Maria Della Torre assist. It was Richardson's 19th goal of the season.

Wheaton goalkeeper Kristin Eggert made two saves and led Wheaton to its school record-tying 18th shutout of the season. Virginia Wesleyan's goalkeeper Lindsey Williams made four saves, allowing a season-high two goals.