Following a stalemate through regulation and overtime, Chatham senior Amanda Thornton knew the fate of her team’s season rested heavily on the shoulders of goalkeeper Charlotte Nelson.

Thornton calmly walked up to the sophomore and said two words that has epitomized Chatham’s girls soccer program over the past four seasons, “Visualize winning.”

The mantra seemed to be prophetic for Chatham in the extra session of penalty kicks after a 1-1 score.

With her team ahead 2-1 in penalty kicks, Nelson lunged to her right to deflect a final attempt for second-seeded Cranford and lift top-seeded Chatham, No. 11 in the NJ.com Top 20 to the North 2, Group 3 girls soccer title Saturday at Haas Field in Chatham.

It is the fourth consecutive sectional championship for Chatham, which will face North 1

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