As Maci Bower, ’19, raced down the pitch towards the goal in the 108th minute of the A-10 Women’s Soccer Championship Final, the energy in VCU’s Sports Backers Stadium reached a fever pitch. Spectators cheered passionately as Bower’s teammates jumped up and down in excitement on the sideline.

As the cheers grew louder, Bower’s older sister Madison, ’18, chased down a pass from midfielder Jessica Shanahan, ’20. The ball traveled from sister to sister and for a moment, the crowd collectively held its breath.

In that moment, she knew this could be it—the golden shot that would end the double overtime and secure the championship for the Explorers.

“When Madi passed me the ball, I knew that was a huge moment,” Maci reflected. “There were only two minutes left so it was crucial that I score, but in my mind, it was just another shot on the goal.”

When the ball reached the net, the crowd erupted and the rest of the team stormed the pitch. Tears streamed down players’ faces as they embraced each other in celebration of La  Salle’s third conference championship.

It was a moment that Coach Paul Royal believed would happen. “I told them at halftime, I’ve never believed in a group more than this group because of what they do every day,” said Royal.

“Throughout the final moments of the game, there was not a doubt in my mind that my team would be walking off that field as champions. Our coaches had prepared us for that moment. We worked so hard, and fought for one another the entire season,” goalkeeper Larisa Zambelli, ’17, added.

The team had trained arduously since August, completing countless fitness tests, early morning workouts in the weight room, and hours of technical and tactical training.

In doing so, they developed a unique chemistry that facilitated this achievement.

“Holding the trophy at the end of that match brought it all together,” added senior midfielder Danielle Marx, ’18. “It would never have happened without every single person buying into the culture and putting in all that hard work for the love of the game and our love for each other.”

Several players were recognized for outstanding performance during the three-game Championship. Zambelli, who tied an Atlantic 10 Championship single-game record with 14 saves in the Championship Final, earned the Most Outstanding Player Award.

“When my name was announced for MOP it was one of the most surreal moments of my soccer career,” Zambelli remembered. “I literally had to hold back tears, because of the feeling of joy and support from my coaches, teammates, and family as they announced it.”

Madison and Maci Bower joined Kristin Haugstad , ’18, and Katherine Hennessey, ’18, alongside Zambelli on the All-Championship team. Marx was named to Top Drawer Soccer’s Team of the Week.

“It’s pretty neat to be named to the Team of the Week,” Marx said. “There are a lot of great players that have been named to Top Drawer Soccer, so to see my name among some of the best out there was surprising and a really rewarding moment.”

The Explorers returned to campus to a hero’s welcome, with students and faculty greeting the team bus with a celebratory banner. The team went on to face Rutgers in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament, falling 3-1 to end a historic season.

The team set a new program record for goals in a season with 48 and tied the 2011 team for most wins in a season in program history with 17.

The 2017 La Salle women’s soccer team has etched themselves a place in school history.