SAINTS' TOURNEY RUN ENDS WITH O.T. LOSS IN CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
Nov. 8, 2008
NORTHFIELD, Vt. - Leanne Waterman scored off a cross from Nikki Szczepanski midway through the first overtime to lift the top-seeded Norwich University women's soccer team to a 2-1 victory over 3rd-seeded Emmanuel College in the GNAC Tournament championship on Saturday afternoon at Howard Field. Norwich's win marked the first GNAC Tournament championship for the Cadets, who will advance to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history. It was a struggle for NU throughout the conference tournament, as each of the Cadets' three games were won in overtime.
Despite dominating play for the entire game, the Saints suffered a disappointing loss to the Cadets, who converted two of just their three shots on goal for the contest. Norwich (15-4-2) opened the scoring late in the first half, when Becky Scully headed a cross from Meghan Hoskins into the Emmanuel goal at the 42:12 mark. The Cadets' 1-0 lead held up until the 68th minute when Emmanuel netted the equalizer. Sophomore forward Amber Di Nucci (Assonet, Mass.) scored off a rebound, tying the contest at 1-1.
On Di Nucci's goal, Norwich starting goalkeeper Nicki Hunsicker went down, and had to leave the game with an injury. Emmanuel continued to dominate the play. The Saints out-shot the Cadets, 34-9, for the game, including a 13-3 shots on goal advantage. Hunsicker and backup keeper, Alecia Wright, combined for 11 saves in the win for Norwich. Despite numerous scoring opportunities late in the second half and in the overtime play, the Saints' could not get anything past Wright.
The game remained deadlocked at 1-1 until the 96th minute when Szczepanski took the ball, dribbled down the right sideline, and sent a cross in front of the net. In the swarm that had congregated in front of the Emmanuel net, Waterman somehow got a foot on the ball, giving the Cadets the overtime championship.
For the game, the Saints nearly tripled the Cadets shots, but the Cadets held a 7-4 edge in corner kicks. Hunsicker made eight saves for NU, while Wright made three stops in relief. Emmanuel's senior keeper Laureyn Furtney (Barrington, N.H.) made played the full 96 minutes in net and gave phenomenal effort for the Saints.
Norwich sophomore midfielder Sarah Reuschel, who played unbelievable defense throughout the tournament, was named the event's Most Valuable Player. The All-Tournament Team members included: Di Nucci, Kate McKenna (Holyoke, Mass.), and Meghan Long (Smithfield, R.I.) for Emmanuel, along with Hunsicker, Wright, and Scully for Norwich.
Norwich's opponent in the NCAA Championship will be determined on Monday, when the official brackets are announced. Emmanuel will now wait to hear about a possible ECAC Tournament bid. The Saints should have a decision on the ECACs sometime on Monday night.