Kissimmee, FL (12/1/23) - Bethel University won its first-ever NCCAA DI Women’s Soccer National Championship on Saturday after defeating No. 3 SAGU. The teams went into the halftime break tied at 0-0, but Bethel’s Leena Thomas scored off the assist from Giulia Franco to give the Pilots a 1-0 lead less than 10 minutes into the second half. That was all Bethel needed, as goalkeeper Jael Schubert had 7 saves to preserve the shutout victory.
 
The No. 5 seeded Pilots opened pool play by upsetting the No. 1 seeded Mid-America Christian University 1-0. Franco scored the game-winning goal, while Schubert kept the clean sheet with 2 saves. Bethel then took down No. 4 Redeemer University with the same 1-0 score line. Onalee Gustafson had the game-winner off the assist from Aubrey Vervynckt. Schubert picked up another shutout with 4 saves on the day.

Bethel’s Leena Thomas was named the Tournament Most Outstanding Player. The All-Tournament Team and other awards are listed here.
 
Full results from each game are posted here.