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.
