KISSIMMEE, Fla. – Goals from AJ Black and Cameron Roberts weren’t enough to raise No. 4 Palm Beach Atlantic over top-seeded Fresno Pacific, who prevailed over the Sailfish in a shootout to move on to the NCCAA National Championship.

The shootout went 5-4 in favor of the Sunbirds. PBA now plays in the third-place game on Saturday afternoon.

Black got the Sailfish ahead early with with his sixth goal of the season, good for third on the team.

Nearing the end of the first half, Roberts and junior Kenny Hogg hooked up for the second goal of the contest. It marks the second time in the national tournament that the duo has hooked up for a score.

After leading 2-0 at the break, Fresno Pacific stormed back in the waning minutes of the second half. With a little over 13 minutes remaining, the Sunbirds put their first goal on the board. Then, with just five minutes left in the contest, Fresno Pacific scored the equalizer.

After both overtimes passed with few opportunities coming for either side, it was time for the deciding shootout.

Jonathan Strunk played in goal for regulation and overtime, but was replaced by freshman Austin Spagnola in the shootout. Spagnola, who sat out the game due to illness, wasn’t able to get the timing quite right, and Fresno Pacific converted all five shots.

PBA’s first shooter missed, while the other four converted. The drama ended quickly on the Sunbirds final shot.

Official statistics will be available as soon as they become available.