Bethel Women’s Soccer wins their first ever NCCAA National Championship

by | Dec 2, 2023 | Bethel University, Featured, Women's Soccer | 0 comments

KISSIMMEE, Fla.— The Bethel Pilots Women’s Soccer team won their first NCCAA National Championship in program history on Friday night 1-0 over the Southwestern Assemblies of God Lions at the Austin-Tindall Soccer Complex.

Giulia Franco dribbled past a 1-on-1 matchup to dish a lateral pass to Leena Thomas, who fired a long-range shot from the top of the box and scored the game-winner in the 53rd minute.

Jael Schubert recorded seven saves and saw seven shots on frame from the Lions. She finished the NCCAA National Tournament with three straight clean sheets and tallied six for the season.

The Pilots were outshot by the Lions 17-12 and 7-3 in shots on goal, and SAGU forced more corners 7-4, but the Lions could not get past Schubert.

In the NCCAA National Tournament, Bethel holds a record of 5-4-1 and won their first title. The last time the Pilots made the tournament was in 2022, where they fell to Judson (Ill.) 3-1 in the North-Central Regional.

Leena Thomas was named the NCCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player, along with All-Tournament Team status. Three other Pilots, including Giulia Franco, Karly Harfouche, and Jael Schubert, were named to the All-Tournament Team.

Related Stories

Dave Troyer Memorial Scholarship Announced

Jan 16, 2026

MISHAWAKA, Ind. – This Saturday, January 17, a special presentation is planned to take place during halftime of the men's basketball game where the No. 3 Bethel Pilots take on No. 11 Indiana Wesleyan University in Gates Gymnasium on Bethel's campus. The game will...

No.1 Grace races past No.3 Pilots

Jan 15, 2026

WINONA LAKE, Ind.---On Wednesday evening, the No. 3 Bethel Pilots (16-2, 6-2) fell 99-81 to the No. 1 Grace College Lancers (18-0, 8-0) in the Manahan OCC.  Jameir Jefferson, last week's Crossroads League Defender of the Week, totaled 18 points and 11 rebounds...

Bethel Women’s basketball holds off Grace

Jan 15, 2026

WINONA LAKE, Ind. ---The Bethel Pilots (13-5, 4-4) picked up their third consecutive win over the Grace College Lancers (9-9, 1-7) with a 97-95 victory in the Manahan OCC on Wednesday evening. Jazmyn Smith showcased a double-double with 26 points, her highest scoring...

No.7 Bethel MBB survives late Mount Vernon surge to improve to 16-1

Jan 11, 2026

MISHAWAKA, Ind. ---The Bethel Pilots (16-1, 6-1) defeated the Mount Vernon Nazarene Cougars (11-6, 3-4) 89-88 on Saturday evening in the Gates Gymnasium. The win increases the program's winning streak to five over the Crossroads League opponent, which began with...

Bethel WBB fall at Spring Arbor, 61-56

Jan 8, 2026

SPRING ARBOR, Mich.---The Bethel Pilots (11-5, 2-4) fell to the Spring Arbor University Cougars (14-2, 5-1) 61-56 on Wednesday evening in the American 1 Credit Union Arena.  The match marked the first time in four years that Bethel held the Cougars to less than a...

No. 7 Bethel Men’s Basketball outlasts RV Huntington, 82-76

Jan 4, 2026

MISHAWAKA, Ind.---The Bethel Pilots (14-1, 4-1) defeated the RV Huntington University Foresters (11-4, 2-3) 82-76 on Saturday evening in the Gates Gymnasium.  With the win, the Pilots are now tied for second in the Crossroads League with Taylor (4-1), while the...

Bethel Women’s Basketball outlasts No.20 Huntington

Jan 4, 2026

MISHAWAKA, Ind. ---The Bethel Pilots (11-4, 2-3) defeated the No. 20 Huntington University Foresters (11-4, 3-2) on Saturday afternoon in the Gates Gymnasium.     The win marks Bethel's first win over an NAIA ranked team this season, and...

No.1 Indiana mauls Alabama in Rose Bowl

Jan 2, 2026

PASADENA, Calif. – Good-guy Fernando Mendoza, smiling Mendoza, most-charming-dude-on-earth Mendoza, was nowhere to be seen under a steel-gray New Year’s Day sky. This was Mendoza as ruthless competitor, as card shark, as the all-business leader of the nation’s...