Iowa Central scores late goal to win rain-soaked final

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MELBOURNE, Fla. – Iowa Central battled Eastern Florida State through a rain-drenched, defensive struggle Saturday but came away with a 1-0 victory in the NJCAA Division I Women’s Soccer Championship final. The win earned the Tritons their first national title in program history.

Playing over 87 minutes of scoreless soccer, Iowa Central broke through just as the match seemed to be headed for overtime. A goal by freshman midfielder Tamara Queiroz with 2:36 left in regulation propelled the Tritons to the championship.

The play started when Iowa Central midfielder Leicy Santos intercepted an Eastern Florida State pass at midfield. Going on the offensive, the freshman sprinted the ball into Tritons territory before pulling up outside the penalty box. Santos moved the ball to Queiroz who passed it back and made her run towards the goal. Santos lifted a pass into the box and Queiroz drove it into the far corner of the net.

Queiroz was named the offensive MVP of the tournament after compiling nine points in four matches. Iowa Central sophomore goalkeeper Nicole Medeiros was honored as the defensive MVP. Tritons freshmen midfielders Carolina Arbelaez and Leicy Santos were recognized as well with spots on the all-tournament team.

The Tritons’ victory in the title match improved their overall record to 18-1-0 for the year. Suffering its first loss of the season, Eastern Florida State fell to 17-1-0.


Photo courtesy of Eastern Florida State Athletics.