SAINTS FALL TO NORWICH IN GNAC SEMIFINALS
Nov. 3, 2010
NORTHFIELD, Vt. - The eighth-seeded Emmanuel Women's Soccer Team was defeated by fourth-seeded Norwich University, 2-0, in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) semifinal contest played on Howard Field. Despite being out-played and out-shot in the first half, the Cadets rallied to score two goals late in the second half to defeat the visiting Saints. Emmanuel ends its season at 10-11 overall, while Norwich (13-7) will advance to play at Lasell College on Saturday for the GNAC Championship.
Although the Saints outshot Norwich 18-5 in the first half, Cadets' senior goalkeeper Nicki Hunsicker held her line with four keys saves, denying all their shots on net. The Cadets earned three shots on goal, but were also denied by Saints' sophomore keeper, Jessica D'Ottavio (Pawling, N.Y.). The Saints had a chance with five minutes remaining to take a lead just before halftime, as freshman Darcey Sullivan (Dalton, Mass.) wound up for a shot that forced Hunsicker to dive towards the right post just far enough to get her fingertips on it. The save forced a 0-0 tie as the two teams entered the break at halftime.
The momentum switched to the Cadets in the second stanza. In a change of events, the Cadets outshot the Saints 16-7, forcing D'Ottavio to make big plays on eight of their shots.
Norwich was able to find the back of the net on two of their attempts late in the second half. In the 79th minute of action, sophomore Brittany Casey played a ball to classmate Lisa Esparza in the far left corner of the field. Esparza then placed the ball in the air out to the six-yard box, finding freshman Jackie Derocher in perfect position to capitalize on the play. The goal would hold up as the game-winner, as the Saints were held scoreless in the contest.
Casey found an opportunity three minutes later to put the Saints at a two-goal deficit, but D'Ottavio came off her line with a huge save. Sophomore Biance Bogda followed up the shot and took advantage of the rebound by placing it out of the goalkeeper's reach, giving the hosts a two-goal edge.
Saints' D'Ottavio played just shy of 83 minutes in net, recording 11 saves and was replaced by freshman Beatrix Hassler (Jericho, Vt.), who held the line for the remaining seven minutes of regulation. Hunsicker played the full game in goal, earning her sixth shutout of the season with five key saves to help bring her team to the championship round.
The Cadets have posted back-to-back shutouts in the postseason and will now face Lasell College, the winner over Saint Joseph College (Conn.) in today's other semifinal contest. The Cadets and the Lasers will square off on Saturday for a trip to the NCAA Tournament.
A pair of rookies, Sullivan and freshman defender Shawn Crifo (Newburyport, Mass.), were named to the All-Tournament Team for the Saints.
- Courtesy of Norwich University Sports Information