Delta College claims Division III women's soccer National Championship
| Final | 1 | 2 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Delta College (13-0-0) | 2 | 2 | 4 |
|
Brookhaven College (12-1-0, 10-0-0) | 0 | 1 | 1 |
For the Delta College women's soccer team the third time was the charm. After finishing runner up at the last two NJCAA Division III National Championship, the Pioneers claimed the title with a 4-1 win over top seeded Dallas College-Brookhaven. Delta used the speed, high powered offense along with a stifling defense and great goaltending to defeat the top seed team.
The Pioneers jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the 18th minute of the match when the Division III's leading scorer Faith Webber scored her sixth goal of the tournament. It was also her 60th of the season. Delta scored their second goal in the 36th minute when Anna Young found the back of the net. The score was 2-0 at the half. Carley Bolen made it 3-0 in the 59th minute, then Rachel Hahn scored in the 70th minute to stretch the lead to 4-0. Off the ensuing kick off Brookhaven got on the board three seconds later to make it 4-1 Pioneers. Brookhaven could not solve the Pioneers blanketing defense and never really mounted another chance.
Molly Mantei played an amazing game in goal, playing 88 minutes 11 saves in almost 89 minutes of play. Alex Heeke, Bolen and Young were named to the All-Tournament Team. Claire Rousse, two time MCCAA Player of the Year, was named the Defensive Player of the Tournament. Webber was named the Most Valuable Player of the Tournament. Damon Amey was named Coach of the Tournament.
This is Delta College's first women's soccer National Championship and third National Championship for the school. The Pioneers on the won the Division III softball championship in 1999 and the Division II men's basketball championship in 1989.
