Megan Goodrich's 90th minute goal lifted Dixie State College of Utah to a 1-0 victory Sunday in Phoenix over defending champion Community College of Rhode Island in the championship game at the NJCAA Division I junior college women's soccer national finals.
Goodrich scored from Julee Russell's lob to deliver the Rebels (17-4-1) their second NJCAA title. After winning in 2000, Dixie finished second in 2001 and third in 2002.
The goal was Goodrich's second in three games at Paradise Valley Community College. The No. 3-ranked Rebels beat Young Harris (Ga.), 4-0, and Schoolcraft (Mich.), 3-1, to reach the final.
CC Rhode Island (17-3-1) had fallen to Dixie, 5-0, on Oct. 18 at St. George, Utah. Both NJCAA finalists have lost to Long Beach City College, the nation's No. 1 team, which has won its first two games in the California JC women's soccer tournament. California schools are not affiliated with the NJCAA.
Mohawk Valley Community College, of Utica and Rome, N.Y., won the first Division III title earlier this month. Division I schools may offer scholarships, but Division III schools do not. California schools are considered Division III.
The California state final will be held Dec. 7 in Lemoore.
2003 CHAMPIONS
NJCAA Division I: Dixie State College of Utah (St. George, Utah)
NJCAA Division III: Mohawk Valley Community College (Utica and Rome, N.Y.) COA (California): Championships Dec. 6-7 at Lemoore
NJCAA DIVISION I CHAMPIONSHIP
Nov. 20-23 at Phoenix
Quarterfinals
Dixie State (Utah) 4 Young Harris (Ga.) 0
Schoolcraft (Mich.) 3 Hinds CC (Miss.) 1
CCBC Catonsville (Md.) 1 Lewis & Clark CC (Ill.) 0
CC Rhode Island 3 Mesa CC (Ariz.) 2 (OT)
Semifinals
Dixie State (Utah) 3 Schoolcraft (Mich.) 1
CC Rhode Island 2 CCBC Catonsville (Md.) 0
Fifth-place semifinals
Young Harris (Ga,) 6 Hinds CC (Miss.) 0
Lewis & Clark CC (Ill.) 1 Mesa CC (Ariz.) 0 (OT)
Fifth Place
Young Harris (Ga.) 3 Lewis & Clark CC (Ill.) 2
Third Place
Schoolcraft (Mich,) 3 CCBC Catonsville (Md.) 0
Championship
Dixie State College of Utah 1 CC Rhode Island 0