PENSACOLA, FLA. - It was a historic day for the women's soccer program at SCAD as the ninth seeded Bees took home their first NAIA National Championship dominating the third seeded Keiser University 4-1! The National title game was a rematch of the Sun Conference Championship game from earlier this season which also saw the Bees come out on top 5-2. The women's soccer team is the first team to capture a national title in the 2024-2025 school year for SCAD.
 
The Bees controlled the game from the very start. In the fourth minute of the game Sydney Chura chased down a ball and sent in a cross over the keeper which fell nto the head of Abigail Siddall who found the back of the net to grab the early momentum. Later in the half Siddall would score her second goal of the match after Sydney Chura fired a shot on a flicked ball from Ida Akesson that was rebounded to the foot of Siddall who buried the second chance and put the Bees ahead 2-0. Just before halftime the Bees furthered their advantage after Lois Beer put away a header off of a Chura corner which gave the Bees a 3-0 lead heading to halftime.
 
In the second half the Bees continued their dominance, controlling the possession and finding great defensive performances from the back line of Emma Parrish, Lois Beer, Lucabella Ralph, and Emily Lau to shut down the Keiser attack. While Keiser found the back of the net late in the half, the first goal the Bees conceded at the final site, it wouldn't be enough. The Bees found an insurance goal in the final minutes of the game as Chura found the back of the net for the first time this tournament to ultimately seal the 4-1 win for SCAD and bring an NAIA National Championship back to Savannah.
 
Another bright spot for the Bees was goalkeeper Saga Bryntesson. Bryntesson made several key saves throughout the final to help the Bees keep the Seahawks at a distance and secure the victory. In addition to a stellar finals performance, Bryntesson wrapped up the four games at the NAIA Final Site having only allowed one goal.
 
On top of winning the championship, the Bees also received tournament honors. Sydney Chura, Lois Beer and Ines Sommer all received All-Tournament team honors while Beer and Chura also received Defensive and Offensive Player of the Tournament recognition respectively. Chura was also named NAIA Player of the Tournament

This win encapsulates, much more than just another trophy returning to Savannah. This Bees senior class will go down as the winningest class in program history after years of hard work and dedication. "When I arrived my freshman year we were unranked so to break through our senior year and win the national title is unbelievable" said Siddall after the game. "To go from knocking on the door of the final site to going all the way and winning the national championship the first time we ever qualified is truly incredible." The senior captains finishes her career at scad tied for the most games played in school history while also finishing in second for career goals, points and fourth in assists. "I've never been a part of a team where I am able to be more myself. The culture, the inclusivity, and the love we have for one another fosters the best environment for success and pulls the best out ofe each and every one of us every day and I couldn't have asked for a better team to go on this journey with."

This championship also serves as the crowning achievement for head coach Rebecca Gunn wha has served as the coach of the Bees women's Soccer program since 2014. Coach Gunn currently has a coaching record of 122-62-11 as coach of the Bees after going 20-1-2 in this national championship season. "I am so proud of this team and these girls and all of they have achieved and couldn't be more excited to bring the red banner back to Savannah" said Gunn after the team's championship win over Keiser. "There are many special groups but this one is at the top of the list. Their willingness to learn, to grow, to be coachable, and push to achieve and accomplish everything we were able to do this year really sets them apart from and leads to all of the success that they have had."

The Bees will return home to Savannah as NAIA National Champions for the first time in school history. Congratulations BEES!