Women’s Soccer Makes History with First National Title

The Bryant & Stratton College women’s soccer team defeated the University of Maine-Fort Kent 1-0 to capture the first National Championship in program history.

Tournament MVP Marina Nawa was the difference maker for the Bobcats, putting home the only goal of the game in the 38th minute. Maria Cordeiro Batista would shut the door for the Bobcats the rest of the way, turning aside five shots in a stellar performance for Bryant & Stratton.

Cordeiro Batista was one of six Bobcats to earn All-Tournament Team honors and was nearly picture perfect for the Bobcats all tournament long. She allowed only one goal for the tournament, making a trio of saves in the Bobcats’ 4-1 win over Saint Mary’s of the Woods and then turning aside four more shots against Florida National to secure Bryant & Stratton’s berth to the title game.

She stayed sharp throughout the battle with number one ranked UMFK, dealing with set pieces and open play equally well. Nawa’s goal was her second of the tournament and biggest of the five goals she scored this year. Nawa accounted for four of Bryant & Stratton’s six shots in the title game, helping drive offense while the Bengals worked to shut down First-Team All American Marie Seeger, who ranked third in the nation with nine goals this season.

Nawa’s Tournament MVP headlined the All-Tournament team dominance by the Bobcats as Cordeiro Batista, Seeger, Kira Schulte, Chresilda Cox and Lyla Lionel all earned All-Tournament Team honors.

The second-seeded Bobcats entered the tournament with a 5-3-1 record and dispatched Saint Mary’s and Florida National by a combined 6-1 score and managed to avenge a 1-1 draw with UMFK from earlier in the season.

The first title in program history is the fourth combined title for the soccer program in Syracuse as the men’s team won their third national title over the UMFK men just hours after the women hoisted the trophy.

2021 USCAA All Americans

Marie Seeger – First-Team All American

Maria Gabriela Cordeiro Batista – Second-Team All American

Chresilda Cox – Second-Team All American

Britney Edwards – Honorable Mention