Missy Gregg closed a storied college career with a championship Sunday, scoring one goal and setting up the winner as Christian Brothers claimed the NCAA Division II women's soccer title with a 2-1 victory over Nebraska-Omaha at the Virginia Beach (Va.) Sportsplex.
Gregg headed home Margaret Saurin's third-minute corner kick to give the Lady Bucs (25-1-0) an early lead and fended off two defenders to feed Anna Rask to break a 1-1 tie in the 66th.
Stephanie Kruse's 19th-minute strike, her 24th goal of the season, pulled Nebraska-Omaha (22-1-0) even.
Gregg's goal was her 62nd of the season and 135th in two seasons since transferring to the Memphis-based university following two seasons in Division I at Dayton. Her career totals — 180 goals and 394 points in 90 games — are the best, by far, in NCAA or NAIA women's soccer history.
Saurin's assist was her 35th of the year, an NCAA D2 record. The Irishwoman concluded a two-year U.S. college career with 47 goals and 64 assists.
Gregg, who sustained a torn anterior cruciate ligament in last year's semifinals and overcame a partially torn posterior cruciate ligament earlier in the tournament, was selected the final four's Most Outstanding Offensive Player. Japanese defender Kanae Haneishi of CBU won the defensive honor.
Christian Brothers made its first NCAA Tournament appearance in 2001, losing to UC San Diego in the title game. Nebraska-Omaha reached the title game in its first tournament appearance.
MISSY GREGG / Christian Brothers
Career totals
Year School
Gm Gl A Pts
1999 Dayton
22 23 11 57
2000 Dayton
21 22 6 50
2001 CBU
22 73 10 156
2002 CBU
25 62 7 131
Totals 4 years
90 180 34 394
NCAA DIVISION II CHAMPIONS
1988 — Cal State Hayward
1989 — Barry
1990 — Sonoma State
1991 — Cal State Dominguez Hills
1992 — Barry
1993 — Barry
1994 — Franklin Pierce
1995 — Franklin Pierce
1996 — Franklin Pierce
1997 — Franklin Pierce
1998 — Lynn
1999 — Franklin Pierce
2000 — UC San Diego
2001 — UC San Diego
2002 — Christian Brothers