KISSIMMEE, Fla. - The Warner Women's Soccer team ended their time in the NCCAA National Tournament with a bang, beating the #5 University of Northwestern (Mn.) Eagles 4-0 on the last day of the Pool Stage. This win marked the first time that the Royals have won an NCCAA National Tournament game since the 2021 season and secured their place as a top 4 team in the NCCAA by finishing 2nd in their Pool.
The Royals defense shined early on against a strong #5 University of Northwestern team, who's attack is anchored by the record breaking goal scorer Haley Mersberger. The entire Royals defense stepped up to the challenge of shutting down the NCCAA's 2025 #2 best goal scorer and #1 shot taker, holding her to only 1 shot in the game.
Warner faced all 5 of UNW's first half shots (3 SOG) in the first 30 minutes of play, as
Haley Van Houweling made
3 saves to keep the score tied at 0. The Royals were able to flip a switch after the 30th minute of play and broke the deadlock in the
33rd minute (32:20) from a beautiful counter attack along the right side of the field.
Lillian Dodge and
Clarissa Chew worked together creating a tremendous give and go attack down the right wing that finished with Dodge scoring her 2nd goal of the year beating the keeper 1-on-1 in the box. The Royals kept their offensive pressure up following their first goal, finding the back of the net for the 2nd time less than three minutes later. This time from the left side,
Jessica Alejandre found
Shelby Cape on the wing sending her past the Eagles defenders with a great through ball into the box. Cape beat the goalie scoring on a bar down shot for her 3rd foal of the year in the
35th minute (34:45). The Royals continued to put pressure on the Eagles back line for the remainder of the half and would enter the break up 2-0.
After fending off early pressure in the 2nd half from the UNW offense, the Royals would go on to dominate possession in the 2nd period of play creating multiple scoring chances bringing their total shot count in the game to
17 (9 SOG). Warner's relentless pressure eventually lead to a UNW foul about 20 yards out for a Royals free kick with only a few minutes to go in the contest. Alejandre stepped up to take the free kick and placed a perfectly weighted pass into the box to Senior
Morgan Sullivan, who took a hard shot that was saved by the keeper. The shot was too much to handle, as the ball bounced out of the keeper's hands in front of the goal.
Gianna Bellomo followed her teammate's shot and stuck the ball into the back of the net off the rebound for Warner's 3rd goal of the game in
89th minute (88:26), her 6th of the year. Sullivan finished up the scoring for the Royals in the
90th minute (89:44), when a high bouncing ball into the box went over the keepers head. Sullivan was able to fight her way past around a defender and place the ball in the goal for her 7th of the year. Senior Goalkeeper
Inna Vannula would go on to get
2 saves of her own in the 2nd half to complete the shutout in an overall dominate team win to end the season.
With the win, the Royals end their 2025 campaign with an overall record of 6-11-3 (2-5-1) and finished 2nd in their Pool in the NCCAA National Tournament. Although the Royals did not make it to the NCCAA National Championship Final, their 2nd place finish in Pool A puts them as a top 4 team in the country.
The Royals will look to build upon this year as they enter the off-season and begin to work towards their next National Tournament appearance.
Team Highlights
Goals: Lillian Dodge - 1 (32:20)
Shelby Cape - 1 (34:45)
Gianna Bellomo - 1 (88:26)
Morgan Sullivan - 1 (89:44)
Assists: Clarissa Chew - 1
Jessica Alejandre - 1
Gianna Bellomo - 1
Morgan Sullivan - 1
Team Shots: 17 (9 on Goal)
Saves: Inna Vannula - 2
Haley Van Houweling - 3
Final Pool A Standings:
| Team |
Points |
Record |
Goal Differential |
| #1 Bethel University (Ind.) |
9 |
3-0-0 |
+6 |
| #8 Warner University |
4 |
1-1-1 |
+3 |
| #5 University of Northwestern (Mn.) |
3 |
1-2-0 |
-7 |
| #4 Asbury University (Ky.) |
1 |
0-2-1 |
-2 |
#GodBlessGoRoyals | #TogetherAsOne
