When the Penn State women's soccer team completed its first undefeated season Friday evening, it was clear that the atmosphere was far from celebratory.

Gathered around midfield for the penalty kicks that would decide its fate, No. 1-seed Penn State could not help but show its despair as Christine Sinclair netted Portland's final attempt, handing the Nittany Lions their third defeat in as many College Cup appearances.

The final game score read 0-0, with Portland prevailing 4-3 in penalty kicks Friday in College Station, Texas.

Portland (24-0-1) went on to defeat UCLA in the title game, claiming the program's second national title in four years.

The Lions (23-0-2) again succumbed in penalty kicks, just as they did at the Big Ten tournament on Nov. 3, albeit with a different game plan.

"We asked people who felt good in the moment and who wanted to take control of their destiny," Penn State women's soccer coach Paula Wilkins said. "It's luck of the draw."

The shooters stood around the center circle showing the expected heartache, but Penn State goalie Erin McLeod simply walked away from the goal that she had so valiantly defended all game long. Maintaining her composure, she clapped her hands, acknowledging that she had finally been beaten by the Pilots.

With all five Penn State shots already registered, it was only fitting that the game would come down to yet another showdown between McLeod and Sinclair.

Prior to the decisive penalty kicks, Sinclair attempted six shots, two of which were on goal. Two of her best opportunities came with less than two minutes left in the second overtime. Maneuvering through the box and a web of Penn State defenders, she connected with a shot that McLeod easily grabbed by diving to her right.

Moments later, Sinclair came down the left flank one-on-one with McLeod, and she unleashed a near-perfect shot. It beat McLeod, but it clanged harmlessly off the post.

McLeod was not so fortunate on the final encounter between the two. Needing to make a save to continue the game, she stood unable to read which way Sinclair was going. The ball went over her right shoulder into the back of the net, knocking Penn State out of the tournament.

McLeod had one of her best college games, making 10 saves in all on the afternoon and one during the penalty kicks, when she dove to her right to rob Portland midfielder Lisa Sari.

Wilkins said she believed that McLeod is happy with her game despite the outcome.

"To be honest, I can't tell you how Erin's feeling," Wilkins said. "I know she's extremely disappointed with us not advancing. She was pleased with her own performance, but if you know Erin, she's disappointed that the team didn't go on."

McLeod's effort was overshadowed only by that of Portland goalkeeper Cori Alexander, as she recorded seven saves and two stops in the penalty kicks.

"It came down to a battle of the goalkeepers and not a battle of the forwards that everybody expected it to be," Wilkins said.

Penn State senior forward Tiffany Weimer was quiet much of the day, registering two shots on goal, but she did convert on the Lions' first penalty kick, giving the Lions a momentary lead.

As of Saturday afternoon, Wilkins was not sure whether she would be rooting for the Pilots or UCLA.

"I felt it was a double-edged sword because we tied Portland; you want the team that put you out to advance," Wilkins said. "On the other hand, we'd be the only undefeated team in the nation."

Portland went on to defeat UCLA on Sunday by a score of 4-0. Sinclair had two goals, making Penn State the only other undefeated team, and the first in the history of the Lions program.

And that is still a cause for celebration.