DALLAS – The Belles soccer team, facing a must-win game against fifth-ranked DBU, shut out the top-seeded Patriots to claim their second-straight LSC Tournament Championship, both being by a 1-0 score line and both coming against the Patriots on their home field.  

The lone goal happened in the sixth minute, when a Patriot defender passed the ball back to Patriots' goalkeeper Hailey Brown; trying to clear the ball, Brown would miss on the ensuing kick attempt, and the ball crept into the back of the net for the lone goal.  

The Belles held strong against a potent Patriots' offense who forced 22 shots on the match, a season-high against the Belles' defense, with eight coming on target, also a season-high against the Belles.  

"It was a collective effort," said head coach Travis McCorkle on the Belles' defense. "Just trying to make sure that we didn't give them space."  

LSC Goalkeeper of the Year Kira Miller made a season-high eight saves, doubling her previous season high of four, none bigger than her 90th minute save off a Abilgail Olmos shot from just outside of the box to seal the victory.  

"We were bending but not breaking, they had some good chances but also, we have some great chances as well," said McCorkle.  

This marks the ninth-straight shutout for the Belles in LSC Tournament play, dating back to 2018.  

Five players from the Belles were named to the All-Tournament Team – Madison Stokes, Katelin Heise, Kylie Hampton, Mariah Griffin, and Avery McNeme – with McNeme being named the tournament's Most Valuable Player.  

It's the first time making the all-tournament team for Griffin and Heise, while Stokes and Hampton were named to the all-tournament team this past spring. This marks the fifth time McNeme has made the all-tournament team and her second consecutive time being named MVP.  

The Belles earn the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2018. The selection show is tomorrow at 5 p.m. on NCAA.com.