Dallas Baptist University Athletics

THE RUNDOWN
The No. 1 ranked DBU Women's Soccer team captured their fourth Lone Star Conference Tournament Championship in thrilling fashion on Sunday afternoon at Patriot Soccer Field, edging Texas Woman's University, 3–2, behind Ashley Washburn's breakaway winner in the 89th minute.

DBU struck first just 11 minutes into the match when McKenna Vela bent a shot from the top of the 18-yard box into the upper-right corner. TWU threatened late in the first half, but the Patriots' back line held firm to take a 1–0 lead into the break.

The second half delivered all the drama and intensity beginning with TWU's equalizer in the 67th minute on a shot from just inside the box by Giselle Gutierrez. Five minutes later, Vela answered again—this time off a beautifully placed Skylar Belanger corner that was flicked by Parker Coe, allowing Vela to nod home the second-chance header for her brace.

The Pioneers responded quickly, leveling the match once more just over two minutes later on another strike from Gutierrez.

With the LSC title seemingly destined for overtime, DBU produced one final moment of brilliance. Off a long goal kick from TWU keeper Faith Graves, Vela won the initial header near midfield, where Ashley Washburn gathered the ball and sprinted past TWU center back Eric Brelove. One-on-one with the keeper, Washburn slipped the shot into the net for the decisive goal.

The Patriots closed out the final 1:29 to secure the championship.

Five Patriots earned spots on the LSC All-Tournament Team: Tournament MVP McKenna Vela, along with Joeli Benson, Emma Croley, Kenzi Tufts, and Ashley Washburn.

THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
• DBU has won both the LSC regular season and tournament titles in the same year for the fourth time (2019, 2022, 2023, & 2025)
• The Patriots have tied the 2021 team for the most goals in a season (69).
• DBU is just two wins away from matching the 2021 program record of 20 victories in a season.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS
3 - Three of Ashley Washburn's goals this year have been game-winners.
13 - McKenna Vela's brace gives her a team-leading 13 goals on the season.
90 – Five Patriots played all 90 minutes including Skylar Belanger, Parker Coe, Leslie Miller, Hannah Montoya, and Kenzi Tufts

DBU POSTGAME PRESS CONFERENCE


UP NEXT
DBU now turns its focus to the NCAA Division II Women's Soccer Championships, beginning next week. The NCAA Selection Show airs Monday at 5:30 p.m. on NCAA.com, where the Patriots will learn their postseason path.
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