UC Clermont women’s soccer team wins National Championship

The UC Clermont College women’s soccer team defeated Penn State Brandywine 2-0 on Nov. 12 in Virginia Beach, Va. to win the 2018 United States Collegiate Athletic Association Women’s Division 2 Soccer National Championship. The national title is the first for the UC Clermont women’s soccer program.

The shut-out caps off an exceptionally strong year for the Cougars, who ended the season with a record of 14-2. UC Clermont received a goal and an assist in the championship game from junior striker Taylor Greene, including the game's first score on a rebound before the end of the first half. Sophomore striker Kat Richey also had one goal, and the Cougars took a 2-0 lead into halftime. Junior goalkeeper Anna Tessof blocked three shots to keep Penn State off the board, and Coach Blaine Callahan credited sophomore Taylor Mallucky with goal-scoring throughout the tournament and freshmen with stepping up to help.

But while outstanding individual talent was crucial, Callahan said that the tournament success was definitely a team effort.

“We prepared well in the lead-up to the national championship game and came up with a strategy to be successful,” he said. “It was so nice to see it all come together in what was arguably our best game in a great season. The girls are elated.”

Callahan said the national championship is a huge milestone for a program that started only four years ago. He recalled trying to recruit players during the first season by standing on campus, handing out flyers to any student who had ever touched a soccer ball.

“All season, we talked about how winning is for the program, not for yourself,” Callahan said. “I have to give credit to the dedicated players on the first team who set the foundation for the program. I hope this national title helps others see the commitment level that these girls have and that it encourages them to join us on the field.”