Women's Soccer Reaches Third Consecutive NCAA Championship
The No.1 Education Eagles women's soccer team has clinched its third consecutive berth in the NCAA Division I Championship tournament following a dominant 16-2-1 regular season. The Eagles, ranked No. 7 nationally and No. 2 in the conference, will host first-round and second-round matches at Whitfield Stadium beginning November 14.
A Historic Run
Three years ago, the Eagles' women's soccer program was an afterthought in a conference dominated by traditional powerhouses. The transformation began with the arrival of Head Coach Maria Torres, a former U.S. Women's National Team midfielder, who brought an attacking, possession-based philosophy and a recruiting strategy focused on technical skill, academic excellence, and character.
"When I took over this program, people told me to set modest goals. But I'd seen what happens when you combine talented, driven people with a real system and a culture of belief. Three years later, these athletes have proved that no goal is too ambitious."
Under Torres, the program has posted a combined record of 46-8-5, scoring 147 goals while conceding just 34 — a goal differential that ranks second nationally over the three-year span. Five players have earned All-American recognition, and two have been called into the U.S. Under-23 national team pool.
This Season's Stars
The 2025 squad is anchored by several standout performers:
- Ava Mitchell (Sr., Forward): 14 goals, 7 assists — program's all-time leading scorer with 52 career goals
- Sofia Reyes (Jr., Midfielder): Named Conference Player of the Year; leads the team in assists (11) and minutes played
- Kayla Thompson (So., Goalkeeper): 0.62 goals-against average with 10 clean sheets; converted to goalkeeper from defender last season
- Diamond Jackson (Fr., Defender): The nation's No. 3 recruit who has started every match as a center-back
More Than Athletes
The team's excellence extends well beyond the pitch. The squad maintains a collective GPA of 3.61, with seven players on the Dean's List and two Rhodes Scholarship nominees. The team has also completed over 1,200 community service hours this academic year, including coaching clinics at underserved middle schools and volunteering with the local Special Olympics chapter.
Championship Path
As a top-16 seed, the Eagles will host matches through the tournament's third round. The road to the College Cup in Cary, North Carolina, begins November 14 at Whitfield Stadium. Season ticket holders receive priority access, and student tickets are free with a valid university ID. The athletics department has organized a viewing party at the Student Union for away rounds.
"This program has become a point of pride for the entire university community," said Athletic Director Robert Chen. "Coach Torres and her staff have built something truly special — a program that wins at the highest level while embodying every value we hold dear as an institution."
Fan support has been transformative: average home attendance has risen from 680 three years ago to 3,200 this season, regularly filling Whitfield Stadium to capacity.