Aug. 3, 2009

EASTON, Pa. - When the Lafayette women's soccer team returns to College Hill for preseason camp in a few weeks, sophomore Julie Bell will return a national champion. Bell's club team, the FC Bucks Vipers, was victorious in the U-18 girls national championship game.

Bell's squad became the first girls team from Pennsylvania to claim a U.S. Youth Soccer National Championship, defeating Ohio Elite (OH-S) for the Under-18 Girls Francis J. Kelly Cup.

The game featured only a few scoring chances, but neither side could finish as the first half ended scoreless. Bell's teammate, Madlyn Evans, scored the game's only goal in the 58th minute to give FC Bucks Vipers the 1-0 lead over Ohio. With the win the girls completed their goal of honoring head coach Ed Leigh's son-in-law, fallen Philadelphia police officer John Pawloski, lost in the line of duty this February, for whom the team has been playing all season.

Bell said the championship was well worth the wait with a team she's played with since second grade.

"Winning the national championship was a great experience," she said. " It was very rewarding especially since I have been with this team since second grade. It was a dream come true that I will always remember. I will take what I learned from the championships and try to apply it to this upcoming season."

The Leopards open preseason camp on Aug. 14 in preparation for their first game of 2009 on Aug. 30 at St. Peter's