The NCAA News - News and Features

December 1, 1997

UC San Diego first to win three straight III women's soccer titles

UC San Diego became the first team in the 12-year history of the Division III Women's Soccer Championship to capture three straight titles with its 1-0 win over William Smith November 23 at Elizabethtown.

The Tritons' Lauren Johnson coerced a corner kick into the net in the 20th minute for the game's lone goal. UC San Diego's defense and goalkeeper Jennifer Hetland posted the Tritons' 16th shutout of the season.

Johnson's heroics came moments after William Smith goalkeeper Suzanne Willard punched a save over the crossbar. On the ensuing corner kick, Johnson curved the ball toward the near post. The ball deflected off Willard's hands and into the net. It was the first goal William Smith had allowed in more than eight games.

"This whole tournament has been tough," said Johnson, who was named the tournament's most outstanding offensive player. "Every game has been close, every team we've played has been out to get us and we just had to step up another notch to get through. But we've been there, we've done it and we know what it takes. Our formula keeps working."

UC San Diego coach Brian McManus, who has won four titles overall, has come to expect special plays from Johnson.

"In the big games, the teams are so evenly balanced that it takes something a bit different, a bit special to win it. That near-post corner was a bit special and (Johnson's) been doing it for four years."

UC San Diego, which finished the season 20-2, earned its trip to the championship match with a 2-0 win over Washington (Missouri) (17-4-1). The Tritons scored twice in the second half after being outshot in the first half, 5-3. Janine Harispe found the net first, volleying home a cross from Johnson in the 62nd minute. Christy Abizaid followed with an unassisted goal 18 minutes later. Hetland stopped eight shots to preserve the shutout.

William Smith (18-4) had to endure 120 minutes of scoreless soccer in its semifinal match before advancing past Elizabethtown in a penalty kick tiebreaker. The Herons connected on all five penalty kicks and Willard stopped two of Elizabethtown's five attempts to secure the advantage.

Elizabethtown goalkeeper Lisa Blanker had been the hero in regulation play, stopping a William Smith penalty kick in the 78th minute to preserve the tie. Blanker had entered the game in the first half after starting netminder BethAnn Rumpp was injured. The tie ended the Blue Jays' season at 19-4-3.

In addition to Johnson, the all-tournament team included Tritons Harispe, Cindy Dostalek, Maricela Oceguera and Beth Freeburg; William Smith's Kathleen Thelian (most outstanding defensive player), Whitney Brusman, Antoinette DeLucia and Kim Rausch; Washington's Lynn Stoehr and Lori Thomas; and Elizabethtown's Amy Bender and Meredith Uber.

SEMIFINALS

Washington (Mo.) -- 0 -- 0 -- 0

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

Second half: UC -- Janine Harispe (Lauren Johnson), 61:15; UC -- Christy Abizaid (unassisted), 80:46.

Shots: Washington (Mo.) 9, UC San Diego 11. Goalkeeper saves: Washington (Mo.) (Jamie Rosen) 5; UC San Diego (Jennifer Hetland) 8. Corner kicks: Washington (Mo.) 4, UC San Diego 8. Fouls: Washington (Mo.) 5, UC San Diego 13.

William Smith -- 0 -- 0 -- 0 -- 0 -- (5) -- 0

Elizabethtown -- 0 -- 0 -- 0 -- 0 -- (3) -- 0

Overtime: William Smith advanced on penalty kicks, 5-3.

Shots: William Smith 10, Elizabethtown 4. Goalkeeper saves: William Smith (Suzanne Willard) 3; Elizabethtown (BethAnn Rumpp 2, Lisa Blanker 6) 8. Corner kicks: William Smith 9, Elizabethtown 1. Fouls: William Smith 14, Elizabethtown 14.

CHAMPIONSHIP

UC San Diego -- 1 -- 0 -- 1

William Smith -- 0 -- 0 -- 0

First half: UC -- Lauren Johnson (unassisted), 19:40.

Shots: UC San Diego 10, William Smith 6. Goalkeeper saves: UC San Diego (Jennifer Hetland) 3; William Smith (Suzanne Willard) 8. Corner kicks: UC San Diego 5, William Smith 1. Fouls: UC San Diego 19, William Smith 17. Attendance: 240.