Women's Soccer

Saint Anselm Survives; To Host Franklin Pierce in NE10 Championship

Top-Seeded Hawks Advance on Penalty Kicks.

No. 1 Saint Anselm 2, No. 4 Adelphi 2 (Saint Anselm advances on penalty kicks, 3-2)
Box Score

It was an instant classic on Thursday afternoon in the NE10 Women's Soccer Championship semifinals, as top-seeded Saint Anselm mounted a two-goal comeback and eventually went on to advance in a penalty kick shootout to get past No. 4-seeded Adelphi at Melucci Field. 

Saint Anselm trailed 2-0 at halftime after goals by Adelphi's Madison Apicella (29th minute) and Sophia Cataldo (38th minute). It wasn't until the 66th minute that the Hawks hit the scoreboard after a goal by Connie Patturelli. In the 80th minute, Saint Anselm found the equalizer, as Meghan Deneen buried a penalty kick to tie the score. 

After two scoreless overtime periods, Saint Anselm bested Adelphi in a shootout, 3-2, relying on tallies from Addie Birkett, Nina Muir and Amarys Jimenez. Two of Adelphi's attempts hit the crossbar or post. 

Both goalies had strong performances, as Adelphi's Peyton DeRouen had seven saves and Saint Anselm's Samantha Swidorski had nine saves in 110 minutes of play. 

The Hawks advance to the NE10 Championship final on Sunday, where they will host Franklin Pierce at 12 p.m.

No. 2 Franklin Pierce 2, No. 3 Saint Michael's 1
Box Score

Jenni Huttunen capitalized on a penalty kick in the 87th minute to help No. 2-seeded Franklin Pierce to a 2-1 victory over No. 3-seeded Saint Michael's on Thursday night in the semifinal round, sending the Ravens to the NE10 Women's Soccer Championship on Sunday. 

Scarlett Brookes, the NE10 Player of the Year, put Saint Michael's on the board in the 54th minute to take a 1-0 lead. Just 17 seconds later, Claudia Peirce returned the favor for Franklin Pierce, tying the game at 1-1. 

In the 87th minute, Saint Michael's Josie Rayhill was called for a foul in the penalty area - setting up Huttunen's game-winner, which hit the inside of the left post before slotting into the back of the net. 

Ryan Rosario made four saves for Franklin Pierce, while Chloe Laizer - the NE10 Goalkeeper of the Year - made a pair of saves for Saint Michael's. Franklin Pierce outshot Saint Michael's in the game, 10-6. 

The Ravens will travel to play top-seeded Saint Anselm on Sunday in the NE10 Championship final at 12 p.m. 
 
ABOUT THE NE10
The NE10 is an association of 10 diverse institutions serving student-athletes across 24 NCAA Division II sports. Together we build brilliant futures by embracing the journey of every student-athlete.

Each year, 4,500 of those student-athletes compete in conference championships in 24 sports, making the NE10 the largest DII conference in the country in terms of sport sponsorship. Leading the way in the classroom, on the field and within the community, the NE10 is proud of its comprehensive program and the experience it provides student-athletes.

Fans can subscribe via this link to follow NE10 NOW on FloSports this season.  The partnership between the NE10 and FloSports works to provide funds back to the athletic departments of the Northeast-10 Conference in support of student-athletes while promoting the league on a national platform.