Elgin, Ill.- Making history in the CCAC, Judson University won their first-ever CCAC Tournament Championship with a 2-0 win over Robert Morris College. JU now receives their first-ever bid under Freddie King, Jr., into the NAIA Region VII Tournament and into the semifinal match.

“This is a great win for us and for our players especially for our seniors who have been here for four years,” say head coach Freddie King, Jr. “It has been a journey for the seniors that have been here all four years and helped to turn things around. It is a big accomplishment for them to win this game. The win is a big win for Judson, for our team, for the program, and for the fans, too.”

Samantha Vestal

Senior Samantha Vestal scored both of Judson’s goals in the first 20 minutes of the match. Vestal picked up her first in the 13^th minute when she netted a goal following sophomore Christina Thornton’s shot that was blocked by RMC goalie Fati Mohameed. Just seven minutes later, Vestal had a déjà vu as she almost had the exact same play. She was in the box, following another Thornton shot, and nailed her second goal after RMC’s Mohameed blocked Thornton’s shot. RMC’s Linda Mathiesen had a chance to cut the lead to one in the 42^nd minute but JU’s Alice Phonepraisth saved the shot.

RMC came right after JU in the first minute of the second half as Maria Shipe had a shot on goal in the 47^th minute but was denied by JU’s Phoneprasith. In the 86^th and 89^th minute, RMC took two shots but both were high.

JU out shot RMC, 15-9, and had more corner kicks, 5-4. There were 26 fouls called in the match with 14 on Judson and 12 on RMC. JU’s Phoneprasith recorded three saves while RMC’s Mohammed had seven.

The win is the first over RMC in 10 tries as JU last defeated RMC in 1996, 4-0. JU also extends their unbeaten streak to nine.