The Bruins women's soccer team scored three first-half goals as the team shutout #3 seeded Grace Christian University 3-0 to win the NCCAA DII National Championship. Bailey Martin led the Bruins with a goal and two assists in the win.
"I am so incredibly proud of each of our players and the great job they did all season long," Bruins Head Coach Chris Carmichael said. "We banded together through thick and thin and were blessed to be able to bring home another championship."
Last season, the Bruins suffered a heartbreaking loss in the national championship game as Grace Christian won the title in PK's. All offseason, the Bruins worked hard with the hopes that they would be able to avenge their championship.
Coming into this season, the Bruins battled through one of their most difficult schedules to date before earning the #1 seed at the NCCAA DII South Region Tournament. The team won their fifth straight region title with a 4-0 shutout of Toccoa Falls College to punch their ticket to yet another DII National Tournament.
In the semifinal round, the Bruins defeated #4 Randall University in convincing fashion 7-0 to advance to their fifth straight national championship game. The Tigers earned the #3 seed for the tournament and had a strong performance in a 5-0 shutout of #2 Faith Baptist Bible College to setup a rematch of last year's title game. As both teams took the pitch at Austin-Tindall Sports Complex in Kissimmee, Florida, each knew that a champion would walk off the field at the game's conclusion.
From the opening kickoff, the Bruins came out with good possession and tempo. After several good combinations, the Bruins were able to create runs but Mikayla Rajcan was called for a foul and given a caution just four minutes into the match. Minutes later, the Bruins found the back of the net as Bailey Martin gave chase to a through ball from Brinkley Adams and tapped in a shot past Tigers keeper Regan Befus to make it 1-0.
The Bruins went right back on the attack as they continued to execute crisp passing to free up players towards the net. In the 17th minute, the Bruins got caught flat footed as a quick counter attack by the Tigers freed up a breakaway opportunity. Kristyn Rygh desperately tried to prevent a shot but was called for a foul on the play to award the Tigers a PK. Bruins' keeper Angelina Martin was up to the task as she made a diving save to keep the score 1-0.
Martin's save took momentum back for the Bruins as the team looked to increase their lead. Bailey Martin made a run near the box and was fouled on the play. On the ensuing free kick, Martin found Kayle Stevenson who redirected the cross into the net to make it 2-0. Just minutes later, the Bruins struck again as Bailey Martin dropped a pass to Megan Brubaker who bent a beautiful shot into the upper right corner of the net to make it 3-0.
The Bruins continued to pressure the Tigers as they out shot GCU 12-1 in the first half. As the halftime buzzer sounded, the Bruins went into the break with a 3-0 lead after controlling possession throughout the first half.
In the second half, the Tigers came out looking to get back into the game. The Bruins back line stood strong as Jennifer Townsend and Kristyn Rygh turned aside scoring chances. Offensively, the Bruins continued to maintain possession with several additional scoring chances throughout the half.
The Bruins continued to balance attack runs while making sure they could prevent a quick counter as the team continued to keep the lead. As the match began to come to a close, the excitement grew as the reality of another national title began to set in. As the final buzzer sounded, the Bruins rushed the field in celebration as the team avenged last year's championship loss by defeating the Tigers 3-0.
"I'm super proud of our team for finishing this season with a championship," Bruins senior captain Bailey Martin said. "Today, we were able to finish our season strong, limit them offensively and dominate in several aspects of the game."
Seniors played a pivotal role in the win as Martin finished with one goal and two assists while Megan Brubaker netted the third goal of the game. Kayle Stevenson also scored a goal while keeper Angelina Martin made three saves in the win.
The Bruins out shot the Tigers 18-4 in the match while controlling much of the possession in the match. Jenna Bishop was awarded the tournament's Most Outstanding Player while Kristyn Rygh, Angelina Martin, and Bailey Martin were all named to the All-Tournament team.
"Each player contributed to our success and that was especially seen in the national tournament," Coach Carmichael said. "This is a special moment, especially for our seniors as they led us back to a national title. They will leave a huge void in the coming years and their contributions have left a legacy and a footprint in our program that will always be remembered.
The win marked the fifth national title in program history and the third in the last four seasons. The Bruins battled through injury and adversity this season to once again reclaim their spot atop NCCAA DII.
