HAMMOND — St. Louis Catholic went toe-to-toe with defending state champion Parkview Baptist on Saturday in the Division III girls soccer state championship game. In a defensive battle, the match went all the way to penalty kicks at Southeastern Louisiana’s Strawberry Stadium as the Eagles won 5-4.

Through the first two rounds of PKs, it was even with the Saints’ Emma Roach and Adelaide Flavin scoring. Then Parkview keeper Claire David made the first stop, blocking a shot by Gracie Savoie.

St. Louis’ Caroline Avery made an equally impressive stop, diving to her left to block the next one by Karis Phillippe.

Jenna McNamara and Kylie Pousson connect on the Saints (18-5-2) next two attempts to send it into sudden death PKs. David and Avery each had a block to start the second round, but Kaitlin Medine found the net and the Saints missed their final attempt to end the game and cap of the Eagles 27-0-1 season.

The game was a defensive battle from the start. Both teams entered the game allowing less than a goal a game. Parkview allowed 11 goals, while St. Louis held opponents to 15.

St. Louis was playing in their first state championship game since winning three-in-row from 2008 to 2010, and had one of its best scoring chances in the first half. Adelaide Flavin nearly headed in a cornerkick by Kylie Pousson, but Eagles keeper Claire David fell on the ball to stop it in the 29th minute.

Avery made five saves in regulation, including back-to-back stops in the 61st minute. She stopped a 30-yard shot by Sarah Ortlieb and then stopped Ella Kate Johnston after she broke through the Saints defense into the penalty box.

She stopped another long shot by Ortlieb with less than two minutes left in the first five-minute golden goal overtime.