Macomb, Ill.  -  Leatherneck soccer player Stephen Paterson made two crucial saves in penalty kicks to help the Thunder Bay Chill win their first-ever championship in the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League.

Thunder Bay traveled from Ontario, Canada, to face the Heat in their hometown of Laredo, Texas. The visitors survived the 100-degree heat, an initial deficit and a second half red card as they battled the defending champions to a 1-1 draw before capturing the title in penalty kicks, 4-1. After Paterson's saves sealed a victory, the Chill became the first Canadian team to win a championship in front of a PDL and USL record crowd of 3,451 at Texas A&M International University.

The first half of the match was a defensive battle as both teams went into the second half scoreless.

The Laredo Heat scored the first goal of the match only 23 seconds into the second half on a kick from Juan Ibarra. Thunder Bay tied the match in the 63rd minute off a score from Gustavo Oliveira just ten minutes after entering the match.

Four and a half minutes into stoppage time, Heat player Raul Quinones blasted a last-chance shot from 23 yards out that Paterson dived to save, sending the match to overtime.

In penalty kicks, Paterson made back-to-back saves to help Thunder Bay win their first championship.  Paterson finished the game with a total of six saves.