News

NEWS: SOCAL CONFERENCE WINNERS CROWNED

Published Jul 7, 2025

Photo courtesy of San Diego Dons

SAN DIEGO DONS TAKE SOCAL
CONFERENCE TITLE IN TIGHT RACE

With two teams tied for points at the top of the SoCal Conference table, the entire season came down to the second to last game of the season.

A 3-1 road win over So Cal Union FC was what put first-year club, San Diego Dons, over the top when it came down to tiebreakers to decide the SoCal Conference champions.

"Winning the conference out first year is incredibly emotional. For the players, it’s proof that hard work, unity, and belief can take you farther than budgets ever could. For the club, it’s a statement, San Diego is full of talented women who deserve a platform to shine,” Arcadio Estanislao, San Diego Dons team manager, said.

“We dreamed this into existence, and to see it come together with the help of so many sponsors, families, volunteers, and a community that refused to let us fail, this championship is for every single person who believed in us when we were just getting started.”

After kicking off the season with a pair of shut out wins, the Dons’ came crashing back down to earth with a 5-2 home loss to Rebel Soccer Club before rebounding with a pair of wins. A draw and three wins in a hectic Matchweek Seven—including the 3-1 win over So Cal Union—set the stage for its final match of the regular season, a 3-3 draw at home with last year’s winners, Beach Futbol Club.

The Dons went 7-2-1 on the season, tallying 27 goals while conceding 18. The club was led by Brooke Holden (Stanford University 2025- ) with 13 goals in nine appearances. Holden also led the conference in scoring, tallying a brace in six consecutive games.

"There are so many moments I’ll never forget about this season: Brooke Holden putting on a scoring clinic nearly every game, our come-from-behind win against San Diego Strikers that lit a fire in this team. The roar of the crowd when we clinched the title at home, Estanislao said. “But above all, the highlight was watching a group of women turn into a family and represent San Diego with pride, passion, and heart."