Lynn freshman Leon Jackson's first career goal propelled the Fighting Knights to a 2-1 win over Cal State Chico and the school's initial Division II Men's Soccer Championship December 7 in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Jackson's score came in the 80th minute on a one-touch volley into the net after a corner kick from Mark Dunkerley.

"We rehearsed (the winning play) many times in training," Jackson said. "I was just in the right place at the right time. This is a dream come true, scoring my first goal and winning a national title."

Lynn won its first national championship after a runner-up finish in 1997 and completed a 22-0-1 season with an 11-game winning streak. Cal State Chico ended its season at 21-5-1.

Lynn had taken an early lead when Fernando Villalobos converted passes from Andrew Hirst and Mark Melling in the fourth minute of play. Hirst, who scored two goals in Lynn's 3-2 semifinal win over Dowling, was named the tournament's most outstanding offensive player.

The tally was Lynn's third-quickest goal of 2003 and marked the seventh time Lynn has scored within the match's first 10 minutes.

But Cal State Chico tied the game before halftime when Jesse Grigg scored on a header off a deflection with about nine minutes left.

"I thought we came out playing our best, but Chico kind of took over toward the end of the first half," said Lynn coach Shaun Pendleton. "In the second half, we played like we were on a mission. National championships are never easy to win and today was difficult, but that's how it should be. We talked all season about working as one and coming together, and for the final 45 minutes that is what we did."

"It was an interesting match of two different styles," said Cal State Chico coach Mike O'Malley. "They were bigger, stronger and more experienced -- the superior opponent won today."

The Wildcats were playing in their first national-championship match after eight previous tournament appearances. Cal State Chico enjoyed the best one-season turnaround in Division II men's soccer after finishing 6-13 a year ago.

The Wildcats advanced to the final by beating Findlay, 2-0, in the semifinals. Kevin Kuiper and Brett Williams scored the goals.

Joining Hirst on the all-tournament team was teammate Ross Lumsden, who was named the most outstanding defensive player. Melling, Lee Paul Scroggins and Garthfield Whyte also were selected from Lynn. Cal State Chico placed Grigg, Kuiper, Dustin Tong and goalkeeper Dominik Jakubek, while Sergne Babacar Mboup from Dowling and Findlay's Tony McCormick also were chosen.

Semifinals

Second half: CSC -- Kevin Kuiper (Enrique Tadeo), 61:17; CSC -- Brett Williams (unassisted), 85:40.

Shots: Findlay 4, Cal St. Chico 8. Goalkeeper saves: Findlay (Chris Stewart) 3, Cal St. Chico (Dominik Jakubek) 1. Corner kicks: Findlay 3, Cal St. Chico 2. Fouls: Findlay 7, Cal St. Chico 14.

First half: D -- Morten Jensen (unassisted), 6:19; L -- Andrew Hirst (Mark Dunkerley), 13:00; D -- Jan. E. Wetteland (Jensen), 16:17.

Second half: L -- Mark Melling (Garthfield Whyte), 64:15; L -- Hirst (Christopher Knox), 68:40.

Shots: Dowling 11, Lynn 13. Goalkeeper saves: Dowling (Morten Larsen) 3, Lynn (Liam Bull 1, Kevin Street 2) 3. Corner kicks: Dowling 2, Lynn 4. Fouls: Dowling 18, Lynn 26.

Championship

First half: L -- Fernando Villalobos (Andrew Hirst, Mark Melling), 3:55; CSC -- Jesse Grigg (unassisted), 36:09.

Second half: L -- Leon Jackson (Mark Dunkerley), 79:02.

Shots: Cal St. Chico 4, Lynn 6. Goalkeeper saves: Cal St. Chico (Dominik Jakubek) 3, Lynn (Kevin Street) 1. Corner kicks: Cal St. Chico 1, Lynn 8. Fouls: Cal St. Chico 10, Lynn 16.