Introduction

The women’s college soccer season has come to an end. There are five different divisions in women’s college soccer: NCAA Division I, Division II, Division III, NAIA, and NJCAA. The highest level is NCAA Division I. The NAIA, or National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, is divided into two divisions: Division I and Division II. Similarly, The NJCAA, or National Junior College Athletic Association, consists of junior colleges that offer soccer programs. All of these programs can provide scholarships for qualified athletes.

Division I

The NCAA Division I champions were North Carolina. It was the program’s 23rd national title and its first since 2012. The final game, which occurred on December 9, 2024, at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, was North Carolina vs. Wake Forest. The last time these two teams played against each other was October 30, 2022. Going into the game, North Carolina’s record was 22-5-0, and Wake Forest’s record was 16-4-4.

The first half finished 0-0. In the second half, North Carolina opened the scoreboard with player Olivia Thomas netting her ninth goal of the season. This proved to be the opener and the only goal for the Tar Heels.

Forward Olivia Thomas was named the Most Outstanding Offensive Player, and goalkeeper Clare Gagne was named the Most Outstanding Defensive Player. Defender Trinity Armstrong and midfielder Linda Ullmark were selected to the NCAA All-Tournament Team.

Division II

The NCAA Division II champions were the Cal Poly Pomona Broncos (California State Polytechnic University). For the team, it was their first NCAA Division II National Championship. The final, which was played on December 15, 2024, at Austin-Tindall Sports Complex in Kissimmee, Florida, Cal Poly Pomona vs. Minnesota State. Going into the game, Cal Poly Pomona’s record was 22-1-2, and Minnesota State’s record was 18-2-7.

The first half started with intensity until Minnesota State opened the scoreboard. Right away, Courtney Kovacs scored in the 9th minute. However, the Broncos didn’t give up. Tara Opener scored for the Broncos in the 23rd minute. The first half finished 1-1. When the second half started, the Broncos were awarded a penalty kick in the 47th minute. Marisa Salazar stepped up and took the kick, giving the Broncos a 2-1 lead. As the final whistle blew, the Broncos celebrated. It was their first NCAA Division II National Championship.

Forward Tara Opener, forward Vanessa Cruz, midfielder Auburn Burnett, and forward Angelina Rivas were all named to the NCAA Division II Championship All-Tournament Team.

Division III

The Division III champions were Washington University in St. Louis. Overall, Washington University in St. Louis Athletics has 26 national championships in its department history. However, this was only their second national title in women’s soccer. The final took place on December 8, 2024, at Peter Johann Memorial Field in Las Vegas, with Washington University facing off against William Smith. Going into the final game, WashU’s record was 23-0-2, and William Smith’s record was 17-4-4.

The first half finished 0-0. Then, a defender from William Smith fouled a player inside the penalty box, leading to a penalty kick. WashU opened the scoreboard in the 51st minute when Ally Hackett stepped up and scored, making it 1-0 for Washington University. In the 77th minute, Olivia Clemons got past several defenders and scored, extending the lead to 2-0. Shortly after, Gaelen Clayton scored from a corner kick, making the third goal for the Bears.

Forward Olivia Clemons was named the All-Tournament Offensive Player, while graduate goalkeeper Sidney Connor, graduate defender Ally Hackett, forward Grace Ehlert, and forward Olivia Clemons were all named to the All-Tournament Team.

NAIA

The NAIA champions were the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). This was the first time the athletic program won the NAIA Women’s Soccer National Championship. The final took place on December 9, 2024, at Ashton Brosnaham Soccer Complex in Pensacola, Florida, with SCAD playing against Keiser. Going into the game, SCAD’s record was 21-1-2, and Keiser’s record was 18-2-1.

As the whistle blew, SCAD was ready. In the third minute, Abigail Siddall scored the first goal. Then, in the 16th minute, Abigail Siddall scored again. As the keeper from Keiser let the ball go as it slipped out of her hands , Siddall ran up and took a shot, and it went into the net. In the 37th minute, Chura sent a cross, and a defender from Keiser scored in her own net, helping SCAD add another goal. The first half finished 3-0.

Keiser finally opened the scoreboard in the 79th minute when Delfina Lombardi scored. SCAD scored the final goal of the game in the 89th minute by taking advantage of Keiser’s defense pushing forward, leaving Sydney Chura with a breakaway chance.

Forward Sydney Chura, midfielder and defender Lois Beer, and midfielder and forward Ines Sommer all received All-Tournament Team honors. Lois Beer and Sydney Chura also received Defensive and Offensive Player of the Tournament awards. Sydney Chura was named NAIA Player of the Tournament.

NJCAA

The NJCAA champions were Daytona State. This was their first NJCAA National Championship. The final took place on November 26, 2024, in Wichita, Kansas. Daytona State’s opponent was Arizona Western. Going into the game, Daytona’s record was 18-3-1, and Arizona’s record was 19-1-1.

Daytona scored first, as Sienna Gilliespie scored just five minutes into the match. Arizona tied the score at 32 minutes, and the score remained tied at halftime. Neither team scored during the second half, sending the game into overtime. Five minutes into overtime, Shaneil  Buckley scored the winning goal.

Midfielder Sienna Gillespie earned the tournament’s Most Outstanding Offensive Player award, and goalie Julianna Trujillo was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.

Conclusion

That’s my review for all 5 divisions of the women’s college soccer championship results. Many of these games were quite exciting with some colleges winning the national title for the first time. The coaches were happy with the girls for accomplishing their dreams and working hard.

Works Cited:

• Gearing, D. (2024, December December 15, 2024). National Champions. Broncos Make History. https://broncoathletics.com/news/2024/12/15/womens-soccer-national-champions-broncos-make-history.aspx

• Knight, D. (2024, December December 10, 2024). Women Soccer. Captures NAIA National Championship. https://savannah.scadathletics.com/news/2024/12/10/no-13-womens-soccer-womens-soccer-captures-naia-national-championship.aspx 
• National Champions. (2024, December December 8, 2024). Program’s Second National Title. https://washubears.com/news/2024/12/8/national-champions-womens-soccer-beats-william-smith-2-0-for-programs-second-national-title.aspx#:~:text=%E2%80%93%20The%20No.,single%2d Season%20 winning%20 percent%20
• North Carolina. (n.d.). NCAA Champions. NCAA Champions! Women’s Soccer Claims 23rd National Title. https://goheels.com/news/2024/12/9/womens-soccer-ncaa-champions-womens-soccer-claims-23rd-national-championship 
• SCAD. (2024, December December 18, 2024). SCAD women’s soccer. National Champions. https://www.scad.edu/blog/scad-womens-soccer-national-champions\ 
• State, D. (2024, November November 26, 2024). National Champions. Makes history with first NJCAA National Championship. https://www.daytonastate.edu/news-and-events/news-releases/2024-news-releases/dsc-womens-soccer-team-makes-history-with-first-njcaa-national-championship.html#:~:text=(November%2026%2C%202024)%20%E2%80%93,overtime%20victory%20over%20Arizona%20Western