By Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information

Toledo, Ohio---The No. 13 Express women's soccer team has returned home following their run in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) D-I national tournament, but brought some awards with them.

Sophomore forward Jessica Grindle, who scored two goals in her team's two national tournament games, was named to the NJCAA D-I All-National Tournament team. She is the first soccer player, men's or women's, in the history of Owens to achieve that honor. 

Grindle had 23 goals and five assists in her final season with the Express. Additionally, she totaled 29 goals and eight assists over 31 games in her two-year career. She only played in 10 games her freshman year due to injury.

Meanwhile, the Express women's soccer team took home the NJCAA's Lea Plarski Sportsmanship Award, which is given to the team in the national tournament that exhibits the best sportsmanship.

The Express women's soccer team finished 17-2-2 this year, while proving to be one of the best teams in the nation. Their two penalty kick games in the national tournament counted as ties, although they split those two games in PKs. During the season, the Express won 15 straight games after starting 2-2, and they captured the program's first Region XII tournament championship. 

Stay tuned to OwensExpress.com for offseason updates on which four-year schools Grindle and other players choose to attend, as well as updates on who the Express will sign for next year.