Connecticut College has fully embraced the team concept during its magical women's soccer season.

The Camels needed every player to capture the school's first New England Small College Athletic Conference championship in any sport.

With Sunday's dramatic penalty kick shootout victory at top-seeded Williams College, Conn earned the program's second NCAA Division III tournament berth, first since 1998.

"It's about the team," said coach Norm Riker in a phone conversation. "Today we played every available player that was healthy and able to play. So it's always been about the team and believing in it. That's really helped us."

After the game ended deadlocked at 1-1 after two overtimes, the third-seeded Camels won the penalty kick shootout, 4-3.

Word spread around campus about the team's remarkable achievement. About 300 students gathered to greet the Camels when they returned home from Williamstown, Mass.

Riker appreciated the warm reception.

"We are flying pretty high right now," Riker said. "It was incredible. … It was a great season and it's still going. The NESCAC is such an intense league. The women are so proud and so honored to have done it.

"For them, this is a really important milestone."

The Camels (15-2-1) lost the regular season meeting to Williams, 3-0, on Sept. 27. But they struck first on Sunday.

When senior Rebecca Raymond's free kick was deflected off the crossbar, freshman Alexa Tribelli slammed home the rebound at the 32:29 mark.

"That helped," Riker said. "We were able to sit in a little more and defend."

The score stood that way until late in the second half. Kristi Kirshe scored the equalizer with about three minutes left.

The Camels refused to buckle, though. Goalie Bryanna Montalvo helped limit Williams to one goal through regulation and overtime by making 12 saves.

"We stuck together," Riker said.

For the penalty kick shootout, Riker switched goalies, going with junior back-up Amanda Onofrio.

"Three weeks ago, we trained for them," Riker said. "Amanda saved everything and loved it."

It ended up being a smart move.

Onofrio made three big saves, including one in the sixth and final round.

Annie Higgins, Astrid Kempainen and Tribelli scored before Raymond delivered the winner.

The Camels won despite being outshot 26-9 overall and playing without leading scorer Michelle Medina, who earned a red card in Saturday's semifinal win.

"It was a whole team effort," said junior Morgan Cowie-Haskell in a released statement. "We battled and I'm so extremely proud of every member of the team. We just made history and I'm thrilled."

The Camels will learn their NCAA opponent today when the field is announced. They have a shot to host a first round game next weekend.

g.keefe@theday.com

Twitter: @GavinKeefe