Grand Valley State (24-0-1) claimed its third NCAA Division II national championship in the past five seasons by clamping down on the offense of the defending champion West Florida Argos. It was the Lakers’ 21st shutout of the season and 24th victory. The winning goal came early in the second half on Marti Corby’s fourth goal in the NCAA tournament, her sixth of the season. Katie Bounds knocked in a rebound for the second Grand Valley State goal[show_disconnected][show_to accesslevel=’Subscriber’]. With the shutout in the title match, GVSU goalkeeper Abbey Miller set a record of her own. Her 0.16 goals-against average ranks second all-time in Division II. The Lakers 24 wins is also a school record. The loss was the first of the season for West Florida (18-1-3).
Division III Women
The William Smith Herons, competing in the Division III championship game for the fourth time, came away with a 2-0 victory over the hometown Trinity (Texas) Tigers and the national champion trophy. Herons junior forward Madeline Buckley got the first goal in the 11th minute. Junior forward Krista Long, the tournament’s Outstanding Offensive Player, got the second goal early in the second half. Senior defender Olivia Zitoli was named Tournament Outstanding Defensive Player. William Smith wrapped up a 23-1-0 season, while Trinity lost for the first time to finish 25-1-2. Herons coach Aliceann Wilber, in her 34th season as head coach, previously guided her team to the championship in 1988.
NAIA Women
Concordia Ore.) snapped a three-match losing streak in the national final with a 1-0 victory over #2 Westmont (Calif.) to claim its first-ever national championship. With the win, the Cavaliers became the 12th program to claim a national crown in the 30-year history of the event. The Cavaliers dominated the game, but did not score until the 65th minute when Hannah Scott got the game-winner.
It was the third goal of the tournament for the senior forward, each of which were game-winners. Concordia ended the year at 22-1-1, while Westmont fell to 17-2-5 on the year.
[/show_to][hide_from accesslevel=’Subscriber’]
Your subscription has expired please Subscribe to Southern Soccer Scene to view full article and get all the news in your mailbox![/hide_from]