NJCAA Division 3 Women’s Soccer National Championship

Toms River, NJ ● Nov. 16, 2014

Pioneers tried for fifth place vs. tournament host Ocean County College.

The Pioneers entered the national tournament ranked sixth in the nation on the NJCAA November 5 polls after winning seven straight, and capturing the Region 20 and District H Championship titles.  They had been unranked since the second week in September as they struggled with injuries, but everyone was healthy by the region championship and they headed to the national championship at 11-6-0.

They dropped their opening game, 3-1 to top-ranked Brookdale Community College (17-1-0) which meant  the Pioneers could at best expect a fifth place finish if they could win their next two in the consolation bracket. Brookdale (19-1) went on to win the tournament with a 1-0 overtime victory over Richland College (16-6-2).  

The Pioneers were down 2-1 to Nassau Community College (#7) who had defeated the Pioneers, 1-0 in September, when with about five minutes remaining Taylor Green knocked in the tie goal on a corner kick from Danielle Victorio. The game went to overtime, and AACC advanced in sudden victory after a perfect penalty kick to top corner of the net by Ashley Wilkins. The PK was awarded after Francheska Sierra was pulled down in the box.  

Coach Griffiths was pleased with their tenacity. "I am really proud of the way that the girls battled back.  We played extremely well the entire first half.  The first 35 minutes of the second half was not good at all.  We were down 2-1 with 10 minutes left and they really picked it up then. They could have folded and did not." 

Watch an NJCAA TV clip of Taylor's goal , and Ashley's penalty kick.

AACC (12-8) finished in sixth place and Ocean County (17-2-1) earned the fifth spot after a 5-1 victory over the Pioneers. Pioneer Ashley Wilkins made the all-tournament team. 

Watch archived broadcasts on NJCAA TV.