Girls Academy Finals conclude in Richmond with crowning of 2026 National Champions

RICHMOND, VA — Six Girls Academy National Champions have been crowned, closing the chapter on another unforgettable season defined by breakthrough performances, championship dynasties, dramatic finishes, and historic milestones.

The 2026 Girls Academy National Championships concluded Sunday in Richmond with five champions crowned, joining Tophat’s U19 squad, which secured the league’s first title of the summer in June with a dramatic extra-time victory in the National Championship.

By the time the final whistle sounded on Championship Sunday, the stories that had defined the week had come full circle.

An established national power finally broke through on the Girls Academy’s biggest stage. A championship dynasty added another remarkable chapter to its legacy. A perennial contender completed a long-awaited return to the top. And five champions added their names to Girls Academy history.

City SC Turns Years of Success into National Championships

Few clubs entered the National Championships with more momentum than City SC.

The Southern California club was hardly a newcomer to the national stage. Over the past two seasons, City had established itself among the Girls Academy’s elite by capturing the 2025 Champions Cup Club title, multiple conference championships and playoff berths, and most recently the 2026 U16 Champions Cup title.

Despite that success, a Girls Academy National Championship had remained the one accomplishment missing from an already impressive résumé. That changed in spectacular fashion.

City advanced three teams to Championship Sunday—the U13, U14, and U16 squads—and left Richmond with the first two National Championships in club history.

The U13 National Championship required everything. Mia Egoian gave City the lead in the 47th minute before Michigan Jaguars equalized through Vivienne Sabala. After two scoreless overtime periods, City prevailed 5-4 in penalty kicks, earning the club’s first National Championship as Egoian was named Championship MVP.

Hours later, City captured a second title. Julianna Bodnar and Championship MVP Kayla Nelson scored in a 2-1 victory over SJEB FC to secure the U14 National Championship.

City’s pursuit of an unprecedented third championship ended in the U16 Final, where Galaxy SC earned a hard-fought 1-0 victory. Still, three National Championship appearances and two titles marked one of the defining performances of the 2026 National Championships.

Tophat Strengthens Its Championship Legacy

Before Championship Sunday even began, the Georgia club had already made history: its U19 team won both the Champions Cup and National Championship while finishing an undefeated league season, closing out the Girls Academy’s inaugural class.

By the end of Sunday, another Tophat team had joined that exclusive company. Although the club narrowly fell to NEFC Red in the U15 National Championship, the U17 squad defeated SC del Sol 4-1 behind goals from Ana Lucia Ramos, Chloe Layfield, Bristol Kersh, and Isabelle York. Ashley Scott earned National Championship MVP honors.

The victory completed a second Champions Cup–National Championship double for the club this season. With titles in both the U17 and U19 age groups, Tophat now has six Girls Academy National Championships, extending its record as the league’s most decorated club.

Redemption for NEFC

One year after falling in the U15 National Championship, NEFC Red returned to Championship Sunday determined to finish what it started.

MVP Kacey Costello gave NEFC the lead late in the first half, but Tophat answered through Caroline Sellers in the 72nd minute. Avery Brown struck in the final minute of regulation to deliver a dramatic 2-1 victory.

The win secured NEFC’s first Girls Academy National Championship since winning the inaugural U15 title in 2021, capping a postseason in which the club conceded just two goals across seven playoff matches. Goalkeeper Giuliana Uminsky earned the Golden Glove Award.

Galaxy Completes the Journey

After finishing as National Runner-Up in 2025, Galaxy SC returned to Richmond and finished the job. Quinn Fahey‘s second-half goal proved the difference as Galaxy defeated City SC 1-0 to capture the U16 National Championship.

Goalkeeper Gabriella Gjeldum conceded just one goal across seven National Playoff matches while recording six shutouts to earn the Golden Glove Award. Jasylene Ortega was named National Championship MVP.

A League Built on Competitive Balance

Since the inaugural Girls Academy National Finals in 2021, 28 different clubs have reached a National Final, while 21 clubs have captured at least one National Championship. In 2026, City SC became the latest club to add its name to Girls Academy history, while championship programs like Tophat, NEFC, and Galaxy continued to strengthen their legacies.

By the Numbers

• 6 Girls Academy National Champions crowned in 2026
• 2 Tophat teams completed the Champions Cup–National Championship double (U17, U19) • 2 National Championships won by City SC (U13, U14)
• 6 all-time Girls Academy National Championships for Tophat (most in league history) • 3 National Championship appearances by City SC after never previously reaching a National Final • 8 all-time National Championship appearances for NEFC (second most in Girls Academy history) • 1 penalty kick shootout decided a National Championship (U13)