For all of the success over the years of the Sonoma State University women's soccer team - the numerous conference championships, NCAA playoff appearances and All-Americans by the truckload - nothing has quite topped what happened on November 11, 1990.
It was on that date that Sonoma State University was placed on the intercollegiate map that is reserved for those squads that capture a national championship. It is a spot that is treasured by any who reach it, because there is always that uncertainty that it will ever happen again.
The Cossacks entered the 1990 NCAA championship tournament with a 12-4 mark and an unblemished 7-0 record in conference play. In the semifinals, the Cossacks battled Barry University to a 2-2 tie through regulation and overtime before finally settling things by penalty kicks. In the finals against Keene State of New Hampshire, Shannon Maddock put the Cossacks on the board with a header off a pass from Deb Martin late in the first half. The Cossacks' Stacy Ball scored an insurance goal off an assist from Beckner midway through the second half to close out the scoring. SSU completely dominated the match, outshooting the Owls by a 17-5 margin and had nine corner kicks compared to just two for Keene State. And in the end, the team celebrated the school's first national championship.
"The team was a great group of people," said Cochran. "We had chemistry, we loved to be together we had faith in each others ability, we worked beyond belief, and we loved each other! That time in my life and that group of people was truly a magical experience."
