MISHAWAKA, Ind. —The Bethel Pilots Women’s Soccer team concluded 2023 on an exceptionally high note, securing their first-ever NCCAA National Championship, which improved their record to 5-4-1 in the NCCAA National Tournament.
Throughout the season, the Pilots played 21 games, scoring 34 goals, and averaged 1.62 goals per game. Their offensive efforts were highlighted by a shot percentage of .123 with an average of 13.2 shots per game. Defensively, the team kept opponents to an average of 1.32, showcasing a balanced performance on both ends of the pitch.
Overall, the Pilots finished with a record of 11-8-2 and a 4-5 in Crossroads League play. The team ended the season on a high note with a three-game winning streak. Their home record was impressive at 6-3-1, but they faced more road challenges with a 2-5-1 record. On neutral grounds, they were undefeated with a perfect 3-0 record.
Leena Thomas emerged as a standout player, named the NCCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player and earning a spot on the All-Tournament Team. Alongside Thomas, teammates Giulia Franco, Karly Harfouche, and Jael Schubert also received All-Tournament Team honors, underscoring the team’s collective strength and talent.
Several outstanding performances contributed to this successful season. Giulia Franco contributed 17 points last season, Audrey Lerch led the team with 27 points, and Thomas, with 22 points. Jael Schubert, as the team’s goalkeeper, started all 21 games, and recorded 99 saves with a save percentage of .786. Her defensive prowess was key to the team’s success.
As the Bethel Pilots Women’s Soccer team embarks on a new season, they carry forward the momentum of their historic NCCAA National Championship victory.
The Pilots will kick off their new season on August 17th at 5:30 PM, facing Holy Cross College (Ind.) on the road in Notre Dame, Ind.
NEWCOMERS
Isabella Garcia comes to Mishawaka from Sao Paulo, Brazil as a 5’3 right-back who plans to study Exercise Science, “I want to be a helpful part of the team and gain more experience in soccer so that our team can win,” said Garcia.
Solena Cruz brings NAIA experience in the center-back and full-back positions as a transfer from Holy Cross College (Ind.) while she plans to earn her MBA.
Lauren Gatewood hails from Westport, Ind. where she was a part of the National Homeschool Soccer Championships All-Star Team (NHSC) in ’21 and was named to the Indiana Homeschool Soccer Association (IHSA) All-Star Team (’21, ’22, ’23) along with finishing runner-up in the IHSA State Championship (’17). Her career stats included an 81% save percentage, averaged 82 saves per season, averaged 1.4 goals per game by opponents, and averaged 4.6 saves per game.
Karly Harkness comes to Mishawaka from Chicago, Ill., and Downers Grove High School where she ran Cross-Country and Track and played Soccer. During her high school tenure, she was named All-Sectional Honorable Mention (Soccer). She was also a part of their Regional Championship team. As a Cross Country and Track runner, Harkness earned All-Conference, All-Sectional, and All-State honors. With her club Soccer team, Firebirds SC, the team went to the USYS Nationals in Kansas City, Kan.
Chloe Baker was a three-sport athlete at Edwardsburg High School in Edwardsburg, Mich. before joining the Pilots. She Golfed, played Basketball and Soccer for all four years, qualified for State in Golf, and was named First Team All-Wolverine Conference. In Soccer, she earned First Team All-Wolverine Conference honors.
Thalyta Martins flew from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to begin her collegiate career with the Pilots. She did her prep work at Intellectus High School and will be a part of the midfielders this season while she studies Criminal Justice.
Annalise Jung is an incoming freshman from Cincinnati, Ohio, and Seton High School. During Jung’s high school prep at Seton High School, the team was the OHSAA State Champion in 2022 and made the OHSAA Semi-State in 2023. Jung competed in the club nationals with her home club Mercury Soccer.
Sophia Neihart comes to Bethel as a midfielder and Business Management major from Lebanon High School in Lebanon, Ind. Neihart was named Second-Team All-Sagamore Conference as a three-year soccer player with the Tigers.
Yazmine Juarez is a local incoming freshman from Penn High School and hails from Osceola, Ind. Juarez ran cross-country and track for four years for the Kingsmen and played soccer for one year.
Hannah Thomas also is a local to the Mishawaka area coming to the Pilots squad from John Glenn High School and is from South Bend, Ind. During her tenure with the John Glenn Falcons, she earned NIC All-Conference honors and was named Indiana North-South Division MVP.
Leila Mojtahedi joins the Pilots from Fort Wayne Carroll High School in Fort Wayne, Ind. Mojtahedi helped lead FW Carroll High School to 2 IHSAA State Championships in ’21 and ’23 and took runner-up in ’22. She was named 3rd Team All-Conference in her senior season. With her club team Fort Wayne United, the team took 2nd at the National Tournament in Kissimmee, Fla. in ’24 and won the National Futsal Tournament in Kansas City, Kan. (’22).
Sylvia Meyer comes from Bremen High School where she was named to the 2nd Team All-NIC in ’22 and ’23 and 1st Team All-NIC in ’24 for Soccer. With the Lions, she also swam and played Tennis. Meyer played in the Indiana Elite Soccer game in ’22 and ’23 with other top high school players in the Northern Indiana region.
Ada Ronnemaa is from Turku, Finland where she did her high school prep at Turun Suomalaisen Yhteskoulun Lukio but began her collegiate career with Cowley County Community College. In her freshman season, Ronnemaa appeared in 15 games and started one for the Tigers while scoring three goals on seven shots and five on frame (.714). In her Sophomore season, she appeared in 19 games scored one goal, and had one assist with five total shots and one on frame (.200). She had one game-winner with the Tigers.
For more information about Bethel Pilots Athletics, check out bupilots.com or on Instagram, Facebook, X, and YouTube by searching @bupilots or the hashtag #AnchorUp for updates on all 31 Bethel Pilots sports.
