The NCAA News - News Features

Nunez goal gives Tritons III women's soccer crown

A direct kick by Toni Nunez arched around the near goalpost in the 78th minute, giving UC San Diego a 2-1 victory over the College of New Jersey for the Division III Women's Soccer Championship November 17 at Amherst, Massachusetts.

Nunez, the tournament's most outstanding offensive player, also assisted Ele Johnson with a corner kick on the Tritons' first goal, which gave the defending champions a 1-0 lead 68:32 into the game. Johnson's goal was her third of the tournament and raised her career-record total for NCAA championship play to nine.

It took less than a minute for New Jersey to answer Johnson's goal as Heather Batz sent a free kick over the UC San Diego wall to a waiting Erica Wisniewski, who hit the net from the top of the box.

UC San Diego relied on an aggressive defense to spark an aggressive offense throughout. Earning four corner kicks in the opening three minutes of play, the Tritons penetrated the New Jersey half repeatedly with the ball-handling skills of Christa Wemmer. However, New Jersey's defense held off the defending champions until Johnson's second-half goal broke the scoreless tie.

The championship was the third overall for the Tritons under coach Brian McManus (21-1). They were making their third straight appearance in the title game; they also finished as runner-up in 1988.

Nunez, Ele Johnson and Lauren Johnson of UC San Diego made the all-tournament team, along with fellow Tritons Beth Freeburg (who was named the tournament's most outstanding defensive player) and Wemmer.

For New Jersey (19-2-2), which won titles in 1993 and 1994, Cheryl Adronovitz, Lisa Buckley, Daniela Kolarsick and Traci Tapp were recognized. Other all-tournament team members were Jessica Berry and Shay Feilen of Chicago and Amherst's Sarah Fabian and Shaunette Richards.

SEMIFINALS

Amherst -- 1 -- 0 -- 1

UC San Diego -- 1 -- 1 -- 2

First half: A--Shaunette Richards (unassisted), 28:55; UC--Lauren Johnson (Ele Johnson), 42:47.

Second half: UC--Toni Nunez (unassisted), 51:53.

Shots: Amherst 3, UC San Diego 12. Saves: Amherst (Sarah Fabian) 6; UC San Diego (Kelly Pearson) 2. Corner kicks: Amherst 3, UC San Diego 13. Fouls Amherst 5, UC San Diego 7. Attendance: 937.

Chicago -- 0 -- 0--0

Col. of New Jersey -- 0 -- 1--1

Second half: CNJ--Beth Barrio (unassisted), 63:00.

Shots: Chicago 9, Col. of New Jersey 17. Saves: Chicago (Maria Cardow) 9; Col. of New Jersey (Daniela Kolarsick) 5. Corner kicks: Chicago 4, Col. of New Jersey 9. Fouls: Chicago 17, Col. of New Jersey 14. Attendance: 477.

CHAMPIONSHIP

UC San Diego -- 0 -- 2--2

Col. of New Jersey -- 0 -- 1--1

Second half: UC--Ele Johnson (Toni Nunez), 68:32; CNJ--Erica Wisniewski (Heather Batz), 69:22; UC--Nunez (unassisted), 78:02.

Shots: UC San Diego 7, Col. of New Jersey 10. Saves: UC San Diego (Kelly Pearson) 5, Col. of New Jersey (Daniela Kolarsick) 5. Corner kicks: UC San Diego 7, Col. of New Jersey 3. Fouls: UC San Diego 15, Col. of New Jersey 11. Attendance: 543.