Bridgeport women win Division II soccer title

The University of Bridgeport women’s soccer team defeated top-ranked Grand Valley State University 1-0 on Saturday in Pittsburgh to win the NCAA Division II soccer championship. The Purple Knights (20-4-1) bring home the school’s first NCAA team championship. It was the first loss of the season for the Lakers (25-1-1), who beat Bridgeport 6-0 on Sept. 9 in Michigan. Grand Valley had won five of the previous nine national titles.

“It’s a little surreal,” said Magnus Nilerud, in his 20th season as Bridgeport’s coach. “Obviously, it’s a fantastic feeling to beat an unbelievable opponent by squeezing out a result. I thought we played well in the first half and kept it going in the second and scored when we had a chance. Grand Valley is just so good. Hats off this group for making history.”

The only goal of the match came with just over 12 minutes remaining when Bridgeport junior Nara Da Costa headed home her 11th goal of the season after a strike from junior Elin Eklund struck the crossbar. The Lakers outshot the Purple Knights 18-5 and held an 11-3 advantage in corner kicks, but the Bridgeport defense held strong. Senior goalkeeper Jennifer Wendelius made six saves to earn the shutout, her twelfth of the season and 33rd of her career