After heartbreak in last season’s final, Cavalier FC were overjoyed to claim the Wray and Nephew Jamaica Premier League title.

The Rudolph Speid-coached Cavalier beat Theodore Whitmore’s defending champions Mount Pleasant Football Academy 5-3 on penalties after a 1-1 regulation and extra time result on Sunday at the National Stadium.

Devonte Campbell of Mount Pleasant and Richard King of Cavalier scored for respective teams in the second half.

It was the third time in four season that the league’s winner was decided by a penalty shoot-out.

Speid said he knew his youthful players would have been able to sustain a high-tempo game against the much-fancied Mount Pleasant team.

“We battled them right across the field… we kept pressing, pressing, pressing, and I thought we should have done better — missed some chances,” he said during a post-match television interview.

An assistant referee (left) looks on as Kimoni Bailey (centre) of Mount Pleasant and Gadail Irving of Cavalier vie for the ball during the Jamaica Premier League final at the National Stadium on Sunday.

Speid said his players and staff “were never perturbed” entering the final because of recent history which has seen them play three finals in four years and six semi-finals in a row.

Cavalier were almost in front inside the opening 5 minutes when leading goalscorer Jalmaro Calvin rose highest to Dwayne Atkinson’s cross, but his header from six yards out was brilliantly saved by goalkeeper Shaquan Davis.

Davis was called into action once again by Calvin minutes later but he came up trumps to keep the match scoreless.

Mount Pleasant had their first shot of the game in the 17th minute through Daniel Green’s free kick at the edge of the 18-yard box, but goalkeeper Vini Barclett had to produce a smart save to keep him out.

Just before the half-time break, Cavalier felt they should have had a penalty when Atkinson’s shot seemingly hit the arm of Mount Pleasant defender Jamoi Topey, but referee Oshane Nation was not convinced.

After a fairly cagey start to the second half, the game sparked to life in the 64th minute. Campbell, who was Mount Pleasant’s hero in the semi-finals, produced yet again as his low strike at the edge of the box was good enough to beat Barclett.

But during the midst of their celebrations, Cavalier struck back as defender King blasted home inside the area to pull them level just three minutes later.

Green tried to restore Mount Pleasant’s lead in the 78th minute with a powerful strike just outside the box but it flew just over the crossbar. Atkinson won a free kick around 20 yards out in the 80th minute and assumed responsibility, but his effort just went wide of the post.

With neither team making the breakthrough in 90 minutes, 30 minutes of extra time were played but both teams looked leggy, which saw goal scoring chances hard to come by.

Mount Pleasant decided to kick first and had the 2-1 advantage after Atkinson missed his penalty. However, Ladale Richie and Romeo Guthrie failed to convert their penalties as Barclett produced some fine saves.

With King and Andre Reid netting, Nicholas Hamilton scored the winning penalty and Cavalier were crowned champions.

It’s the second time in four seasons that Rudolph Speid’s team was winning the crown. It’s also Cavalier’s third league title in their history.