The Trinity Western Spartans battled through 120 minutes of scoreless play and four rounds of penalty shots before lifting the Gladys Bean memorial trophy as the 2012 CIS national women's soccer champions.

The Spartans defeated the two-time defending champions, the Queen's Gaels, 4-2 in kicks on Sunday evening in Victoria, earning their third title in the past five seasons.

"I think our nerves caused us to play a little bit out of how we normally play, but credit to my kids for hanging in there," said Spartans' head coach Graham Roxburgh, who made CIS history as the only coach to win four CIS titles in women's soccer (previously in 2004, '08 and '09).

Spartans Stephanie Chin, Alessandra Oliverio, Natalie Boyd and Colleen Webber were perfect from the spot to seal the win, while Queen's shooters Stephanie Chin and Mikyla Kay were the lone goal scorers for the silver medalists.

Queen's midfielder Alexis McKlinty put her shot over the bar and Spartans 'keeper Kristen Funk saved Jessie De Boer's shot to allow Webber the opportunity to score the winner.

The Spartans entered the championship with an impressive 111-0 Canada West record and are currently the two-time defending conference champions.

Meanwhile, the Gaels' glimpse at becoming CIS three-peat champions came to a stunning halt after earning back-to-back titles in 2010 and 2011.

In the opening half, the Spartans out-chanced the Gaels 9-3 in shots.

Midfielder Riley Filion had the most promising attempt for the Gaels in the 19th minute. Funk was caught out of her net on a scramble but Filion's open-net attempt was well blocked by the Trinity Western defence.

Canada West Rookie of the Year Krista Gommeringer had a chance in the 31st to advance the Spartans when Jessica King flicked on a crafty pass, but Gommeringer's one-timer was cleaned up well by Gaels 'keeper Madison Tyrell.

Both teams continued the expected physical and competitive defensive showcase, allowing very few opportunities but in the 75th minute, Gommeringer had her second chance to put the game away.

Webber threaded the needle on a pass to Alicia Tesan, who outpaced the Gaels' back line to find Gommeringer at the near post, but the volley sailed wide.

One minute later, a ball was cut back to Gaels' Breanna Burton, looking for her third goal of the tournament, but Funk made an excellent diving save at the near post.

In the 90th minute, Tyrell was forced to come out to Gommeringer on a 50-50 ball outside the box but Gommeringer was able to dodge the challenge, only to have her attempt stymied in final desperation by McKlinty.

With neither team able to capitalize, two 15-minute periods of extra time were added to the clock.

In the 98th minute, Gaels' striker Jackie Tessier had a clear scoring chance when the Spartans' Tessa Meyer turned the ball over and Webber slipped at the top of the box but Funk, again, made the save on the spinning shot.

Rookie 'keeper Tyrell made two point-blank saves one after another, first on Oliverio at the top of the six-yard box and then on Tesan from distance.

With the stunning play of Tyrell and Funk, it was inevitable that the game would go to kicks.

Webber sealed the Spartans' fate on the fourth kick to give Trinity Western the 2012 CIS championship title after a 3-0 run at Centennial Stadium.

"It wasn't the prettiest of games but it was a tremendous battle," Queen's head coach Dave McDowell said. "There was tremendous tackling by both teams and a few chances both ways but penalties are penalties."

Spartans defender Jennifer Castillo was named the tournament MVP, while Dalhousie University was awarded the R. W. Pugh Fair Play Award.

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The Gaels earned a spot in the final match after beating the AUS champion Dalhousie Tigers 2-0 in the quarter-finals and the No. 1 OUA champion Ottawa Gee Gee's 4-1 in Friday's semifinal.

The Spartans advanced to the national championship game after defeating OUA silver medalist Wilfrid Laurier 2-1 in the quarterfinals and host and Canada West silver medalist Victoria 1-0 in Friday's second semifinal matchup.