SAINTS STUN FALCONS; ADVANCE TO ECAC SEMIFINALS
Nov. 12, 2008
FITCHBURG, Mass. - The sixth-seeded Emmanuel College Saints turned in an upset performance, defeating third-seeded Fitchburg State College, 3-2, in quarterfinal action of the 2008 ECAC New England Division III Women's Soccer Championship. The Saints rallied from two goals down, scoring three unanswered goals in the second half to earn the victory.
Freshman Carissa Kennedy (Somerset, Mass.) accounted for both Fitchburg State goals, totaling a team-high four points, while junior Lauren Wundt (Southwick, Mass.) and sophomore Ali Landry (Bellingham, Mass.) each dished out an assist to Kennedy.
Junior midfielder Kate McKenna (Holyoke, Mass.) led the Emmanuel attack with two goals in the match, while freshman forward Melanie Hoffman (Topsham, Maine) netted the game winner with 9:06 remaining in regulation.
The Falcons jumped out to an early 2-0 lead, as Kennedy connected for two scores in a 2:19 span. Kennedy notched her first goal of the game, when she took a Wundt dish and deposited a shot into the top right corner of the net from ten yards out. Kennedy increased the Falcons lead moments later, blasting a ball from the left channel for her tenth marker of the season. The Falcons peppered the Saints defense with 12 shots throughout the first half, including several scoring opportunities by Wundt.
In the second half, Emmanuel exploded for three unanswered goals to take a 3-2 lead and secure its playoff victory. McKenna led the Saints' charge with consecutive unassisted goals early in the frame, while Hoffman sealed the match with her 11th goal of the season.
Emmanuel out-shot Fitchburg State 21-18 in the contest, including a 15-6 advantage in the second half. The Falcons held a 5-3 lead in corner kicks, with all five attempts coming in the first period. Junior goalkeeper Emily Swan (Franklin, Mass.) registered seven saves in the complete game effort for the Falcons, while senior goalkeeper Laureyn Furtney (Barrington, N.H.) totaled eight stops for the Saints.
Fitchburg State concludes its season with an overall record of 13-7-0, 4-3-0 in the MASCAC. Emmanuel (14-8) will now advance to the ECAC semifinals. The Saints will travel to Waltham, Mass. to take on second-seeded Brandeis University at noon on Saturday, November 15. The Judges (11-7-2) defeated GNAC rival Saint Joseph College (CT), 4-0, in their quarterfinal matchup. The winner of Saturday's semifinal will play the winner of No. 1 Keene State College vs. No. 4 University of New England on Sunday for the ECAC Championship.