DePaul's dynasty on the softball diamond continues to shine. The Spartans captured their third consecutive Passaic County title with a dominant 7-0 shutout over Passaic Valley at Independence Park on May 8, marking the school's 10th championship in the last 14 tournaments (with 2020 being the only exception).

Junior outfielder Emma Cifelli stole the spotlight, earning her first career MVP honor in the post-game huddle after a stellar 3-for-4 performance at the plate. "I was surprised, I couldn't really believe it," Cifelli said. "It feels great. It gets better every year. It never gets old, and I hope we do it again next year."

The Spartans' victory was powered by a balanced offensive attack. Star slugger Kaelyn Brown launched a first-inning home run to right field, setting the tone early. "I had no idea off the bat," Brown admitted. "I only noticed when I got to second base and looked—I was like, wow." Arianna Avella added two RBIs, while pitcher Abby Kiem dominated from the circle with nine strikeouts.

First-year head coach Shawn Stacevicz, who was the only one without a Spartans county champs t-shirt before the game, couldn't have asked for a better debut. "I knew we were going to get the job done," he said. "Abby told me she felt real good, and when KB popped that first one, if she feels good, it's all over."

The game began under a steady spring rain, but the sun broke through just as DePaul's offense heated up. The Spartans broke the game open in the third inning, scoring four runs on a combination of walks and an RBI single from Jenna Regan. Cifelli added another single in the fourth to spark a rally that made it 7-0.

For the Spartans, this title is more than just a trophy—it's a testament to their relentless preparation and team chemistry. Whether it's the power of Brown's bat or the precision of Kiem's pitches, DePaul continues to prove why they're the team to beat in Passaic County.