Bears Move by Mohawk Valley, to Play for 3rd Straight NJCAA Title Sunday
GASTONIA, N.C. – Dallas College Brookhaven's second-seeded women's soccer team beat Mohawk Valley Community College, 3-1, in the National Junior College Athletic Association Division III semifinals Friday.
The No. 2-ranked Bears (14-2-1) scored the game's first three goals, essentially punching their ticket back to Sunday's 3 p.m. CT national championship game against top-seeded Delta College (23-0-0). Brookhaven will be playing for its third straight and fifth overall NJCAA Division III Championship.
Sophomore forward Whitni Newbill scored a second shy of 10:00 into the game on an assist from Natalie Ipina and Kaley Robison to give the Bears the early lead. Newbill, who signed with National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II Angelo State University, found the back of the net for the 13th time this season.
Brookhaven, which outshot Mohawk Valley, 21-5, cushioned its lead less than two minutes before halftime when Robison scored her eighth goal of the season to make it 2-0.
The Bears, who finished with 11 shots on goal, found the back of the net again 11:25 into the second half when Sayer Taylor connected with Gracie Murillo. It was Murillo's sixth goal of the year.
Mohawk Valley (12-3-0) got on the board in the 87th minute when Mallory Mower directed a shot past Bears goalkeeper Emma Garces, who played all 90 minutes, making one save.
Hawks keeper Hannah Pcola stopped eight of the 11 shots she faced.
The Bears and Hawks combined for 19 fouls.
Robison has recorded multiple points in both national tournament games, while Newbill has scored in both at Caromont Health Park.
Delta has won its last 12 games by shutout. The Pioneers have 21 clean sheets this season. Brookhaven has not allowed more than one goal to an NJCAA Division III opponent this season. The Bears have 10 shutouts.