November 19, 2016
Paradise Valley claims third DI crown in seven years
The Pumas completed their unbeaten season with a 3-1 win over Tyler in the championship final
CHAMPIONSHIP CENTRAL | BOX SCORE | WATCH REPLAY
MELBOURNE, Fla. – Paradise Valley (Ariz.) defeated Tyler (Texas) 3-1 in Saturday’s NJCAA Division I Women’s Soccer Championship Match at Titan Soccer Complex.
- Jacey Duncan netted a goal off a corner kick in the third minute, giving Paradise Valley a 1-0 lead.
- Janessa Dunbar extended the Pumas’ lead to 2-0, scoring on a penalty kick in the 50th minute.
- Tyler narrowed the deficit to 2-1 with a goal by O’Shay Nelson in the 79th minute.
- Paradise Valley’s Jamie Iurato ended the Apaches’ comeback effort with a goal in the 88th minute.
- Arielle Perez recorded six saves for the Pumas, earning Defensive MVP honors for the tournament.
- Paradise Valley midfielder Karina Lopez-Martinez was named Offensive MVP after tallying three goals and an assist during the championship tournament.
- Iurato was joined by Pumas teammate America Garcia on the all-tournament team.
- The top-seeded Pumas began their run with victories over No. 12-seed Moraine Valley (Ill.) and No. 8-seed Parkland (Ill.), advancing to the semifinals out of Pool A.
- Paradise Valley finished the year unbeaten, improving to 25-0-1 with Saturday’s victory.
- Tyler saw its eight-match win streak snapped, dropping to 22-3-1 with the defeat.
Photos courtesy of Mike Brown.