DANBURY, Conn. - Western New England College showed its mettle in a 2-0 loss against No. 3 Western Connecticut State University Saturday evening (Nov. 11) in a first round match of the NCAA Division III Women's Soccer Championship at the Westside Athletic Complex.
The Golden Bears, who dropped a 6-0 decision to the Colonials in their regular season meeting, played a spirited match against their nationally-ranked opponents in a contest many felt would be another rout.
After controlling possession for the first 20 minutes, WCSU finally got on the board when freshman midfielder Nicole Sieber (Newtown, CT) fired a shot that deflected off WNEC senior goalkeeper Marisa Sullivan (Halesite, NY) and landed just inside the right post at the 23:42 mark. Sophomore defender Heather Garrity (Rocky Hills, CT) received the assist.
The Colonials had 17 shots in the opening half, but the Golden Bears prevented another score trailing by the single goal by intermission.
Western Connecticut tacked on its second goal just 1:42 into the second half when Sieber crossed the ball to junior forward Kim Crayco (Bolton, CT) who sent it just over the hands of Sullivan where it struck the cross bar and fell just inside the line.
That would be the last goal of the match as the Golden Bears didn't wilt to the constant pressure.
Sullivan finished with eight saves in another fine performance in her final college game. Senior Jenna Cappellier (Stratford, CT) made two saves for the Colonials who raised their record to 20-1-1.
The Golden Bears finished their season with an 11-8-2 record.
