Soccer-Charlton promoted to WSL after shoot-out win over Leicester

Goalkeeper Sophie ​Whitehouse saved four ​of the five penalties ‌she faced ​as Charlton Athletic beat Leicester City 2-1 in a shoot-out on ‌Saturday to win promotion to the top flight of the Women's Super League.

With England's top division for women ‌expanding to 14 teams next season, Charlton came third ‌in WSL 2 this season to earn a playoff against Leicester, who finished bottom of the top flight, in a one-off ⁠playoff ​game to ⁠decide who would grab the final spot. After 120 goalless minutes, the ⁠game went to penalties and shot-stopper Whitehouse rose to the ​occasion, saving the first two kicks from Emily ⁠van Egmond and Shannon O'Brien to put her side in the ⁠driving ​seat early in the shoot-out.

Olivia McLoughlin scored Leicester's third kick to give her side some hope, ⁠but the 29-year-old Whitehouse capped a superb season between the ⁠sticks for ⁠Charlton by denying Leicester's Heather Payne and Noemie Mouchon to win promotion for her ‌side.

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