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BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - A golden goal by freshman Lauren Shanks (Bloomington, Ill.-Catholic Central) 20 seconds into overtime lifted the Illinois Wesleyan University women's soccer team to a 1-nil win over Augustana College to claim the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin Championship Saturday afternoon, Nov. 9. Shanks' game-winning tally secured the Titans their seventh straight NCAA Tournament berth and their second consecutive CCIW Tournament Championship. It is IWU's fourth conference title in program history and its third in the past four seasons.

Head Coach Tony Dulak's squad clinched the CCIW title at home for the first time ever, while also extending their win streak to nine games. The win gives IWU its longest win streak since winning 11 straight in 2015, while it also improved Illinois Wesleyan's record to 14-5-0 on the season.

Shanks fired home the golden goal, her sixth of the season and team-leading fourth game-winner, on a pass from senior Flower Edington (Wilmette, Ill.-New Trier Township HS) off the restart in extra time to give the Titans the automatic bid to the NCAA Division III women's soccer tournament. The conference championship-winning goal came just 18 seconds into the extra period after both teams were held scoreless through 90 minutes. This also marked the first time ever that a CCIW women's soccer final was decided by a golden goal in an overtime period.

Junior Kelli McCarthy (San Diego, Calif.-Cathedral Catholic HS) provided IWU with its seventh shutout of the season with two saves.

The Titans outshot the Vikings 19 to 6 and drew seven corners while allowing only one over the course of the match.

Illinois Wesleyan now awaits its NCAA Tournament fate. The Titans first round opponent and the full tournament field will be released at 12 p.m. Monday, Nov. 11, as part of the NCAA Selection Show.