For the first time in history the Hawks women's soccer team is 2021 DII National Champions. The Hawks finished their 2021 campaign with a perfect 20-0 record and outscoring opponents by a whopping 100-9.
Last year, the Hawks' season came to an end with a double overtime loss in the national semi-final game. Just months later, the Hawks earned their way back to the National Championship game against No. 4 ranked Pima Community College. In the title game, the Hawks would get on the board early with a goal in the fifth minute by sophomore
Lucia Cuadra. The Aztecs would tie things up at one goal a piece in the twentieth minute. In the second half, the Aztecs would push in another goal to take a 2-1 lead and the Hawks would find themselves trailing for just the second time all season. Thanks to
Lucia Cuadra, that wouldn't last long. Cuadra, scoring her second goal of the game and 40th of the season, would tie the score at two goals a piece. The score would remain tied as regulation time ran out.
Through both overtime periods the score remained tied as neither team could capitalize on the golden goal. The Hawks were first to strike in penalty kicks on a made attempt by
Marta Gonzalez. Goal keeper,
Bekah Nielsen, would come up huge with back-to-back saves to give the Hawks an advantage.
Zara Dominguez and
Leslie Gutierrez would capitalize on their shots and set the Hawks up for the win on the made attempt by
Paula Hernandez.
Lucia Cuadra,
Laia Gonzalez and
Leslie Gutierrez received All-Tournament team honors for their performance at the National Tournament.
Lucia Cuadra also earned Most Valuable Player of the entire tournament. Head coach,
Norman Ramos Franco, was named Coach of the Tournament.
In just his first season as head coach, Norman Ramos guided his team to the program's first ever National Title. Associate Director of Athletics,
Luke Wing, says he is extremely proud of Coach Ramos for what he has accomplished in his first season as head coach. Wing says, "These girls displayed what a champion looks like in every aspect of being a student-athlete."
Congratulations to the Hawks and Coach Ramos on a historic season!
