- March 14, 2025
Daytona State players celebrate with the NJCAA Division I women's soccer championship trophy in Wichita, Kansas. Courtesy photo
The Daytona State College Falcons won their first women's soccer national championship on Nov. 23 in Wichita, Kansas. Courtesy photo
DSC's Hailey Martinkovic (2) marks Arizona Western College's Yui Suetsugu in the NJCAA Division I championship game on Nov. 23 in Wichita, Kansas. The Falcons won 2-1 in overtime.
DSC sophomore Alyse Then (19) dribbles away from Arizona Western's Leigha Dobbins in the NJCAA Division I national championship game on Nov. 23 in Wichita, Kansas. Courtesy photo
The Daytona State College women’s soccer team celebrated its first national championship on Nov. 25 at its soccer stadium on the Daytona campus.
The Falcons defeated Arizona Western College 2-1 in overtime in the National Junior College Athletic Association Division I national championship game on Saturday, Nov. 23, in Wichita, Kansas.
Shaneil Buckley scored the game winner five minutes into overtime off a pass from Sienna Gillespie.
DSC finished the season with an 18-3-1 record.
"Our Lady Falcon soccer team has been spectacular all year long," DSC President Thomas LoBasso said. "Winning a national championship is not easy and is a memory of a lifetime. I, as well as the entire Daytona State College community are extremely proud of the coaches and team. Go Falcons!”
DSC’s Julianna Trujillo was named the national tournament’s Most Valuable Player, while Gillespie, who scored the Falcons’ first goal of the game, was named Outstanding Offensive Player.
"This is an incredible moment for our program," DSC head coach Hope Clark said after the game. "Our team worked tirelessly all season, and their determination, talent and unity truly shined on the national stage. I couldn't be prouder of this group."
Clark was named Coach of the Tournament.
The Falcons were making their first appearance in the national tournament. Their semifinal game also went to extra time with DSC defeating Iowa Western Community College in a shootout.
Morgan Long, a 2024 Seabreeze graduate, was a freshman midfielder on the Falcons’ team. Long played in seven games and scored one goal.
She scored 12 goals and added 19 assists in four seasons with the Sandcrabs.
