Lifelong memories are rarely formed at the Jensen’s Foods deli counter, but championships often bring out the best in people.
“This morning, the guy who runs the deli said ‘Thanks for what you’ve done for the community,’” Point Loma Nazarene University women’s soccer head coach Kristi Kiely said on a conference call less than 48 hours removed from leading PLNU to an NCAA Division II national championship Dec. 9. “That was so wonderful. We are grateful and happy to represent.”
The Sea Lions defeated Washburn University 1-0 in the championship game at the Sportsplex in Matthews, N.C.
The title is the first national championship in any sport for PLNU.
“I didn’t realize the extent of how big this was until we got home,” said junior defender Emma Thrapp. “The we felt the last two weeks has been so incredible.”
Thrapp scored the lone goal of the match in the 53rd minute as she put a header into the net off a corner kick from freshman midfielder Grace Nelson.
Mobbed by her teammates, she celebrated with a cartwheel.
“Grace Nelson and Nikki Ross are very good at set pieces,” Thrapp said. “The three of us were in a rotation all season. I was running up to take the corner and [junior midfielder] Mara Sovde is like ‘Thrapp, are you sure">
“It’s fun to celebrate with teammates who are more excited for you than you are for yourself.”
“I mostly the cartwheel,” Kiely said with a laugh.
The Sea Lions finished the regular season 12-3-1, earning an NCAA Tournament first-round bye. PLNU didn’t allow a single goal in its five tournament wins, outscoring opponents 9-0.
Sophomore goalkeeper Julia Pinnell didn’t allow a goal in the final 915 minutes and 35 seconds she spent on the field.
“The forwards were busting their butts to make sure the ball wasn’t getting back to us, and the mids were tracking their runners,” Thrapp said. “It may seem like little things, but to a defender it means so much.”
Kiely paused to single out the team’s unheralded defensive star. “Do you know who I’m going to say?” she asked.
“Mara Sovde,” Thrapp answered.
“Mara is relentless,” Kiely said. “She covers tremendous ground and sets a lot of the tone. You don’t hear her name very often externally. Internally we know she is the glue in of front to back, covering ground and defending.”
The team arrived back at the Point to a surprise gathering of family , professors and fellow students at Golden Gym.
“We had roommates and families there with signs and everyone was so excited,” Thrapp said. “Being able to bring it home to this community is so amazing.”
After this dominating run, PLNU could be in prime position to make another go at a championship next season, with only one graduating player, Mackenzie Kimmel, set to leave.
“Both in talent and leadership, Mackenzie will be hard to replace,” Kiely said.
“My first thought was I want to do this again next year; that would be fun,” Thrapp said. “What’s so special about this group is just the desire to be better.”
