The AFNORTH Lions celebrate their 4-2 win over Sigonella in the Division III girls final at the DODEA-Europe soccer championships in Ramstein, Germany, May 22, 2025. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany – The AFNORTH girls soccer team got its second Division III title on Thursday, and with a 4-2 victory over Sigonella, marked the beginning of what could be a new dynasty in the DODEA European championship finals.
In a near mirror image of last year’s title match, the two teams faced off once again, with Sigonella determined to spoil the Lions’ hopes of repeating.
The Jaguars came out fast and aggressive, with junior Madison Hoy and senior Charlize Caro forming a dangerous attacking duo.
Their crisp passing and sharp ball placement created multiple breakaway opportunities for Hoy, but AFNORTH’s defense stood strong, shutting down each attempt with disciplined positioning and well-timed challenges.
The Lions roared back with intensity, as junior wing Clara Pacios showed the Jaguars that speed isn’t the only key factor in soccer.
Pacios displayed near-professional-level skill, making precise touches and winning nearly every challenge the Jaguars defenders threw her way, crossing the ankles of multiple Jaguars sweepers in the process.
A deep pass into Jaguars’ territory from the Lions’ Emery Koger set up Pacios for a breakaway, and she cleverly placed a shot into the back of the net, giving the Lions their first goal and the lead in the game.
The momentum from Pacios’ goal was enough to allow the Lions to take full control of the pitch.
In an attempt to thwart their offense, Jaguars defender Arabella Jones fouled Lions midfielder Selah Skariah just outside the Jaguars’ 18-yard box.
The free kick, taken by Koger, sailed over the Jaguars’ defensive wall and into the net, giving the Lions a quick second goal.
Meanwhile, Jaguars’ Caro and Hoy had several missed shots on goal throughout the first half, but poor follow-through and the crossbar kept them from closing the gap.
However, AFNORTH wasn’t done scoring in the first half.
A cross from Koger to senior Maggie Masse set up Skariah for a breakaway, drawing Jaguars goalkeeper Summer Planitz out of the net.
Pacios managed to slip past defenders, regained possession, and tapped in the Lions’ third goal, giving them a commanding 3-0 lead at halftime.
Sigonella’s Katelyn Holman converts a hand penalty in the Jaguars’ 4-2 loss against AFNORTH in the Division III girls final at the DODEA-Europe soccer championships in Ramstein, Germany, May 22, 2025. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
AFNORTH’s Shannon O’Connor and Avery Sweeney and Sigonella’s Madison Hoy watch Hoy’s ball bounce toward, but past the goal in the Lions 4-2 win over the Cougars in the Division III girls final at the DODEA-Europe soccer championships in Ramstein, Germany, May 22, 2025. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
Sigonella’s Caro Charlize gets past AFNORTH’s Carla Chico in the Division III girls final at the DODEA-Europe soccer championships in Ramstein, Germany, May 22, 2025. AFNORTH won 4-2. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
AFNORTH’s Clara Pacios watches her shot roll past the outstretched hand of Sigonella keeper Summer Planitz in the Division III girls final at the DODEA-Europe soccer championships in Ramstein, Germany, May 22, 2025. The Lions beat Sigonella 4-2. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
Sigonella’s Katelyn Holman, left, and AFNORTH’s Selah Skariah fight for the ball in the girls Division III title game at the DODEA-Europe soccer championships in Ramstein, Germany, May 22, 2025. AFNORTH outlasted Jaguars 4-2 to take the division crown. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
AFNORTH’s Victoria Hellebust takes a shot on goal in the Lions’ 4-2 win over Sigonella in the girls Division II final at the DODEA-Europe soccer championships in Ramstein, Germany, May 22, 2025. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
Head coach Christy Wise praised Pacios as a standout player in the match, with the striker scoring a hat-trick that ultimately sealed the Lions’ victory.
“Clara just … doesn’t quit,” Wise said. “She’ll dribble, defender. Go around, defender. Go around two defenders, go through both. She’s not deterred.”
The second half began the Jaguars launching shot after shot towards the Lions’ goal, but all of their attempts were unsuccessful.
But when Lions’ pressure forced a corner kick taken by Koger into the Jaguars’ box, the Lions won possession and passed it back to Pacios.
The powerhouse striker seized the opportunity, slicing the ball into the net to bring the score to 4-0, further narrowing the Jaguars’ chances for a comeback.
Despite the large deficit, the Jaguars embraced a “play until the end” mentality, refusing to let the reigning champions walk away with a shutout. In a beautiful rally of passes, Hoy and Caro made it happen.
The duo maneuvered past three of AFNORTH’s defenders and their goalkeeper, tapping the ball into the net to reduce the lead to 4-1.
Sigonella took that momentum and ran with it, and in the final minutes of play, Sigonella sent in a corner kick towards AFNORTH’s defense, which resulted in a handball in the box by Lions defender Shannon O’Connor.
The resulting penalty kick brought a showdown in the box between Jaguars freshman Katelyn Holman and Lions goalkeeper Avery Sweeney, with Holman successfully converting the kick to make the score 4-2.
However, the Jaguars’ scoring run came too late, as the final whistle signaled the end of the match, and the Lions celebrated their second-consecutive title win.
“They know if they put their best effort out there, we’re going to be happy and supportive of them,” Wise said.
