Vikings Win National Championship
The GNAC Defensive Player of the Year Emily Webster perfectly placed a free kick inside the top right corner of the goal in the 76th minute of the NCAA Division II Women's Soccer National Championship match to give Western Washington its first national title in program history with a 3-2 victory over three-time defending champion Grand Valley State on Saturday afternoon at Swope Soccer Village.
The championship was the 10th team national championship in WWU Athletics history (9 NCAA, 1 NAIA), joining the 2012 Men's Basketball Division II title, 7 consecutive Rowing national titles from 2005-11 and the 1988 NAIA Softball National Championship.
"We are all really excited on winning the national championship. I am just really proud of these players for what they have accomplished," said head coach Travis Connell. "This championship means a lot to the players, to our staff, to our university and to the city of Bellingham.
"Winning a national championship means that I've had the privilege to coach some fantastic players. And we saw it tonight. They showed a ton of character, performed well, and every time a very good Grand Valley State team got back into the game, we had an answer. And it's because of the character of this team."