In a thrilling match, the Dallas College Brookhaven women's soccer team secured their third consecutive National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division III national championship, defeating No. 1 Delta College with a final score of 1-0.
The Bears, with a season record of 15-2-1, maintained their dominance by achieving their 11th shutout of the year. This victory marked the end of an undefeated season for the Pioneers, who finished with a record of 23-1-0. With this achievement, Brookhaven entered the annals of NJCAA Division III history as only the second team to achieve a three-peat, joining the ranks of Brookdale (N.J.) who accomplished the feat from 2013-2015. Remarkably, this also marked Brookhaven's fifth national championship, all achieved since 2017.
The decisive moment came in the 32nd minute when Sayer Taylor scored the game's lone goal, securing a 1-0 lead. Taylor's unassisted effort marked her sixth goal of the season and the first since October 10th. It was also her second game-winning goal of the year.
Brookhaven managed to break Delta's impressive defensive streak, becoming the first team to score against them since Grand Rapids Community College on September 20th, thus ending a run of 12 consecutive shutouts. Despite facing the most shots she had all year, Brookhaven goalkeeper Emma Garces showcased her skill by making a season-high five saves, ensuring her fifth shutout of the season.
In the second half, Garces made crucial saves, including two within a five-minute span. The Bears had an opportunity to extend their lead when Kaitlyn Osorio's shot in the 70th minute was thwarted by Pioneers' goalkeeper Tristen Cross, who finished the match with three saves.
Garces preserved the clean sheet in the 80th minute by stopping a shot from Grace Sczepanski, securing the victory for Brookhaven. With this win, Brookhaven now boasts the most national titles in NJCAA Division III history, having been to six national championship games.
