FOLEY, Ala. – The No. 2 seed Monarchs from Old Dominion defeated the No. 5 seed Dukes from James Madison 2-1 in overtime to capture their
second consecutive Sun Belt Conference Women’s Soccer title.
In its second year in the league, Old Dominion (13-2-5) captured its second consecutive Sun Belt title with the win to send the Monarchs to their third consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance. They will find out their postseason fate on Monday, November 6 with the selection show at 3:00 p.m. CT.
Freshman Sydney Somers provided the game-winner in the 108th minute from outside the 18 to give the Monarchs the 2-1 victory.
All nine matches at the 2023 Sun Belt Women’s Soccer Tournament were decided by one or fewer goals.
James Madison (9-4-8) scored the opening goal in the second half, as there were just seven combined shots through the first 45 minutes. Suwaibatu Mohammed scored her seventh goal of the season in the 51st minute of action off a cross from Ellie Johnson that bounced off the post to give the Dukes a 1-0 lead.
Ece Turkoglu leveled the score at 1-1 eleven minutes later with assists going to both Ashlynn Kulha and Riley Mullen as Old Dominion tied the match. The Monarchs led the second half 8-3 in shots as the end of regulation approached.
In a repeat of last year’s tournament championship, the Dukes and the Monarchs headed to overtime in Foley, Ala. at the Foley Sports Tourism Complex. Each side managed just two shots through the first ten minutes, as both teams prepared for the second overtime.
Morich scored the game-winner in the 106th minute a year ago, as freshman Somers provided the heroics in the 108th minute to give Old Dominion its second women’s soccer title in as many years.
2023 Sun Belt Women’s Soccer All-Tournament Team
Most Outstanding Performer – Ece Turkoglu, Old Dominion
Andrea Balcazar Algarin, Old Dominion
Thalia Morisi Kennett, Old Dominion
Anessa Arndt, Old Dominion
Ece Turkoglu, Old Dominion
Malia Mariano, Old Dominion
Jeanette Fieldsend, James Madison
Brittany Munson, James Madison
Alexandra Blom, James Madison
Bri Conley, Georgia Southern
Kamryn Nobles, Georgia Southern
Abby Jacobs, South Alabama
Chiara Singarella, South Alabama
All-Time Sun Belt Women’s Soccer Tournament Champions
2000- FIU
2001 – Denver
2002 – Denver
2003 – Denver
2004 – North Texas
2005 – North Texas
2006 – Denver
2007 – Denver
2008 – Denver
2009 – Denver
2010 – Middle Tennessee
2011 – FIU
2012 – North Texas
2013 – South Alabama
2014 – South Alabama
2015 – South Alabama
2016 – South Alabama
2017 – South Alabama
2018 – Little Rock
2019 – South Alabama
2020 – South Alabama
2021 – South Alabama
2022 – Old Dominion
2023 – Old Dominion