The Delta College women’s soccer program has further established itself as one of the top NJCAA Division III soccer teams in the country.
The team made the NJCAA Division III National Soccer Tournament for the second year in a row. This year’s Pioneers improved on last year’s third-place finish by making it to the championship match, though falling short to the team from Texas-based Richland College for a second-place finish.
Still, making it to the finals is making it to the finals--no small feat.
"Making it to nationals for the second straight year is amazing," says co-head coach Damon Amey.
"This year we had a mission to make it to the championship game and win. We did not quite make our goal, but number two in the country is something to hold our head up high about."
This year’s NJCAA Division III National Soccer Tournament was held in Rockford, Illinois.
Delta established itself as a dominant force throughout the season, losing just one game--its opening match of the season--before falling to the Richland team in the finals. The Pioneers won 16 straight games between those two losses, a Delta College record.
"We played an outstanding Richland team, and they certainly earned their win," says co-head coach Paul Stenglein.
"We played an outstanding game, and that was reflected in a very competitive 1-0 loss."
Looking to build even more upon their success and eventually lift that championship trophy, the team from Bay County’s Delta College has already begun preparing for next year. Amey asserts both a number of returning student athletes as well as a strong recruiting class.
Stenglein agrees on the promise of the team's future.
"What we worked to create these past years will be the foundation of our future teams," says Stenglein.
"Being the runner-up at the national tournament makes us hungry for another great run next fall and, hopefully, the chance to hoist a championship trophy."
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