The Suffolk County Community College women’s soccer team earned a third-place finish in the NCJAA Division III National Tournament on Nov. 16, marking their best finish in program history.

After a hard-fought 2-1 semifinal loss to top-ranked Delta College, the Sharks rebounded with a thrilling 1-0 double overtime win over Genesee Community College. Goaltender Alison Lane delivered a shutout performance, and with just 3:30 remaining, Caren Guardado—who had seen limited minutes this season—scored the game-winning goal to secure the school record.

“I was ecstatic,” said Lane, 23, about watching the game-sealing goal find the net. “Especially because it was Caren, who hadn’t seen the field a ton this year. She was put on the field because we had a few injuries, and I told her that it was her time to be the hero.”

Region XV Title Winners

This record-setting finish capped a season already defined by success. The Sharks recently earned their bid to the National Tournament after capturing their sixth consecutive Region XV title, but this year’s run elevated the program to new heights.

Head coach Keith Ginsberg—now in his sixth season coaching the women’s team and his 14th with the college’s soccer program—said the team has been close to a national championship before, but never this close.

“In years past, we lost to them 3-0 and 8-0,” Ginsberg said about past matchups with Delta. “This year, we really had a chance to beat them.”

Injuries early in the season limited the team’s ability to practice together and continued to affect the roster into the tournament. Still, Ginsberg said players refused to let adversity define their postseason.

“We were disappointed, but we also made it a point to not get on that bus without a trophy,” he said.

Lane echoed that sentiment, adding that while the goal was the national title, the team’s effort in the tournament was something to take pride in.

“Everybody worked extremely hard in all three games to try to secure the victory,” she said. “And we were so close.”

Neftali Collazo, associate dean of athletics and special events, praised the team’s success, crediting their relentless commitment and discipline.

‘Character and resilience’

“They’ve embraced every challenge, supported one another, and demonstrated what can be accomplished through hard work and unity,” Collazo said. “Their success reflects not only athletic talent but also the character and resilience that define our student-athletes.”

Ginsberg directed credit to his players for cultivating this winning culture.

“At the end of the day, the coaches are only as good as their players,” he said. “I give all my credit to my players for buying in, believing in the system, establishing a culture, and then ultimately producing on the field.”

That commitment, Lane said, goes both ways.

“He puts his all into us,” Lane said about Ginsberg’s coaching. “I think that all we can do as players is try to make him proud when we’re on the field.”

Looking ahead, seven sophomores will move on from the program after completing their education at SCCC, but Ginsberg said a strong returning core is already shifting its focus toward capturing the national title in 2026.

“We have a good group coming back that’s determined to win this national championship and finally take that next step for the program,” he said.

“We’re all out for blood next year,” Lane said. “We’re coming for the national title next year.”