ELIZABETHTOWN, Pa. -- Sophomore Clark Williamson scored his first career goal off a corner kick in the 63rd minute and top-seeded Elizabethtown put forth yet another stellar defensive effort to top second-seeded Catholic, 1-0, for its first Landmark Conference Championship Sunday afternoon at Ira R. Herr Field.

After enduring painful runner-up finishes in each of the last three seasons, the Blue Jays (10-4-4) finally broke through with their first conference title since 2006, when they were members of the MAC Commonwealth.

There were very few dangerous scoring chances either way in a game slowed by 12 cards. It wasn't a particularly rough or dirty game despite the cards, but the offensive flow was adversely affected.

Catholic (11-6-1), playing in its first championship game since 2014, almost grabbed a 1-0 lead in the 49th minute when Nelson Zimmerman popped a rebound into the upper left corner, but Zimmerman was ruled offside before Ben Alexander's initial shot was blocked. That exact scene would replay itself in the final moments of regulation.

The Blue Jays (10-4-4) eventually got some momentum going from its attack. Freshman Jorge Sanchiz struck a ball from about 20 yards out that Catholic keeper Jack Long stopped just under the crossbar. A few minutes later, Gilbert Waso sent a low shot towards the left post, put Long was there to smother it.

On just its second of three corners in the game, Elizabethtown cashed in.

Danny Sullivan served a beauty into the box, where Williamson headed it at the left of the six into the right corner for the game's first goal. It marked the second time in as many postseason games that a Blue Jay made his first career goal the game-winner. Defender Will Connolly did it in Wednesday's semifinal victory over Moravian.

Elizabethtown sustained its lead with a renewed commitment to defense. The Blue Jays, who extended their unbeaten streak to 13 games (10-0-3) since Sept. 15, only allowed one shot in the second half after being outshot 8-4 in the first. Brian Gately stopped three shots from the Cards in the first half, but the defense didn't force him to make any in the second to register his eighth clean sheet of the season. It was Elizabethtown's ninth shutout as a team in 2018.

The Blue Jays finished with a 14-9 advantage in shots (7-3 on goal), while Catholic held a 4-3 edge in corners. Long made six saves in goal for Catholic.

JD Haaf, Waso and Williamson each had three shots to lead the Jays. Zimmerman had three to pace the Cardinals.

Elizabethtown will return to the NCAA Division III Championship tournament for the first time since 2016, when it reached the second round. The Blue Jays will learn of their national tournament assignment on Monday at 1 p.m., when the field is released via selection shot at NCAA.com.