BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The calling card for the 2012 Berry men's soccer team has been late-game heroics. And that was the case Sunday as the Vikings prevailed over Centre on penalty kicks in the SAA Championship.

The match ended 2-2 in regulation, and neither team scored in the 20 minutes of extra time.

In the penalty kick phase, both teams made their first four shots. Centre's Cameron Miller then had his attempt turned away by BC goalkeeper Logan Hill.

Matt Seib, the fifth Berry shooter, needed to convert his attempt for the Vikings to prevail. He did.

"Our guys were really composed in the penalty phase," said Berry Head Coach Richard Vardy. "I don't think our program has been in a shootout since the NAIA playoffs in 2003, so we hadn't had recent experience with it."

In its "cardiac season," Berry has had three overtime wins and a number of other late goals to clinch wins. It looked like Sunday's championship was going to be easier for the Vikings as they got off to a 2-0 lead.

Zak Wallingford scored in the 30th minute off a long cross pass from Bryan Sandridge. The score remained 1-0 at the break.

In the 48th minute, Caleb Lucas netted an unassisted goal for Berry. 

Centre, the top-seed in the tournament, then fought back. The Colonels scored in the 60th minute as Josh Settle finished a pass from Austin Greer.

Centre tied the match in the 77th minute. After the referee called a Berry foul in the box, Ryan Gervey converted a penalty kick to knot the game.

"It was a well-payed game, but very back-and-forth as each team had its moments," Vardy said. "Obviously we hated to lose the 2-0 lead, but our guys rebounded from a tough break when they tied it."

Berry led in shots, 18-17, but trailed in corner kicks, 7-5. Hill made three save. Centre's Zach Sosnovich stopped six Viking shots.

"I had modest expectations going into the year and I thought we over-achieved early in the season," said Vardy. "About halfway through the year, however, I realized we were pretty good and would be tough in the conference tournament. I'm so happy for our seniors who have had no chance at a conference championship for three years. Also, we have 18 players returning, so we are looking forward to next year as well.

NOTES: Berry College is in its fourth and final year as a probationary Division III member. The Vikings are eligible for SAA championships this year, but will be able to play in the NCAA postseason in 2013-14....The Vikings were the second seed in this year's SAA Tournament....The match officially goes down as a tie with Berry"advancing" on PKs. The Vikings' final record is 14-3-2.