Toms River, NJ- The Brookdale Community College Jersey Blues women's soccer team won its third consecutive national championship with a 1-0 win over Oxford College of Emory University in the final round of the NJCAA Division III women's soccer tournament, hosted by Ocean County College.
Following nearly 80 scoreless minutes of play, Brookdale freshman midfielder Amanda Karabin sent a corner kick to sophomore forward Simone McEnough, who headed in the go-ahead score. The Jersey Blues would then hold on to win, becoming the first squad in Brookdale history to win three-straight national titles. It is also the first time in NJCAA women's soccer history that this has happened at any division of play.
"It's an unforgettable feeling," said McEnough, of Neptune. "That was our motivation today, to etch our names in the record books. And now we have." McEnough was also a member of the 2013 national championship team.
McEnough was named offensive player of the tournament, while sophomore center-midfielder Ashley Cafarella was named the tournament's most valuable player. Sophomore goalkeeper Marti Stewart, who did not allow a goal during the tournament, was named defensive player of the tournament, and freshman forward Heather Arbachesky was named to the all-tournament team.
Top coaching honors in the tournament went to Jersey Blues coach Katie Miller, who led each of Brookdale's championship squads in 2013, 2014 and 2015.
"I'm speechless," said Miller. "This is what we have worked so hard for. We fought through so many tough moments this year, particularly in this tournament and these players never gave up on each other. As a coach, that's what I'm most proud of. They are so determined, and so committed to each other. I am extremely humbled by what the women's soccer team has been able to."
The Jersey Blues, who spent much of the year ranked No. 1 in the nation, finished the regular season with a 16-1 record. They went 3-0 in the NJCAA Division III women's soccer tournament, including a double-overtime win over Suffolk County Community College on Thursday, a 3-0 dominating win over SUNY Broome on Friday and a 1-0 victory over Oxford Emory to win the national championship.