Tyler takes home the DI crown in rematch of 2018 final
Tyler came into the final of the 2019 NJCAA DI Women's Soccer Championship with one goal in mind: avenging last year's 3-1 loss to Monroe.
The Apaches did just that, utilizing an advantage in numbers for the final 38 minutes to claim the 4-1 victory over Monroe – ending the Mustangs' 31-match unbeaten streak dating back to the end of the 2017 season.
It's the fourth women's soccer title in program history for Tyler, a program that will close out a dominant decade with seven national championship game appearances since 2009.
With all four top seeds making it out of the pool play stage, it set up a pair of monumental matches in the semifinal round.
Monroe was able to take down an injury-plagued Lewis & Clark team in the the first semifinal, but not without a fight from the Trailblazers. After leading 2-0 at halftime, Monroe allowed two goals from Lewis & Clark within the 61st-minute to pull level. Two goals in the 73rd and 74th-minute would ultimately put the game to bed, however Lewis & Clark's Boitumelo Rabale added one more goal to her nation-leading season tally.
Tyler largely controlled the the second semifinal against Eastern Florida State. However, it was game-on when the Titans' Aida Illas found a 63rd-minute equalizer. Mukarama Abdulai provided her second 15 minutes later and the Apaches secured their fourth straight trip to the national championship game.
TOURNAMENT AWARDS
Recording three consecutive braces to close out the tournament, Mukarama Abdulai was selected as the Most Valuable Offensive Player. Teammate Marta Estupinan collected the honor of Most Valuable Defensive Player.
Guiding the Apaches to their fourth title in school history, Corey Rose earned the Coach of the Tournament award.