Emmanuel Stuns Fitchburg State, 3-2
Sixth-seeded Emmanuel College turned in an upset performance, defeating third-seeded Fitchburg State, 2-1, in quarterfinal action of the 2008 ECAC Women’s Soccer Division III Championships.
2008 ECAC Women's Soccer Division III
Championships
Saints advance to semi-finals against
second-seeded Brandeis University
FITCHBURG, Mass. (November 12, 2008) - Sixth-seeded Emmanuel College turned in an upset performance, defeating third-seeded Fitchburg State, 2-1, in quarterfinal action of the 2008 ECAC Women's Soccer Division III Championships. The Saints rallied from two goals down, scoring three unanswered goals in the second half to earn the victory.
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With the win, Emmanuel will travel to second-seeded Brandeis University in the tournament's semi-final match-up on Saturday. Game time has yet to be determined. Fitchburg State concludes its season with an overall record of 13-7-0, 4-3-0 in the MASCAC.
Freshman Carissa Kennedy (Somerset, Mass./Bishop Stang) accounted for both Fitchburg State goals, totaling a team-high four points, while junior Lauren Wundt (Southwick, Mass./Southwick-Tolland) and sophomore Ali Landry (Bellingham, Mass./Bellingham) added an assist.
Junior Kate McKenna (Holyoke, Mass./Holyoke) led the Emmanuel attack with two goals in the match, while freshman Melanie Hoffman (Topsham, Maine/Mount Ararat) netted the game winner with 9:06 remaining in regulation.
Fitchburg State jumped out to an early 2-0 lead as Kennedy connected for two scores in a 2:19 span. Kennedy notched her first score of the game as 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 score 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 scores early in the frame, while Hoffman sealed the match with her 11th score 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./Franklin) registered seven saves in the complete game effort for the Falcons, while goalkeeper Laureyn Furtney (Barrington, N.H./Dover) totaled eight stops for the Saints.
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Emmanuel 3, Fitchburg State 2
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Team |
1 |
2 |
T |
|
Emmanuel (14-8-0, 9-3-0 GNAC) |
0 |
3 |
3 |
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Fitchburg State (13-7-0, 4-3-0 MASCAC) |
2 |
0 |
2 |
Scoring:
First Period: FIT: Carissa Kennedy (Lauren Wundt), 19:11;
FIT: Kennedy (Ali Landry), 21:30;
Second Period: EMM: Kate McKenna, 55:18;
EMM: McKenna, 76:09; EMM: Melanie Hoffman, 80:54;
Goaltending: FIT: Emily Swan (90:00), seven saves;
EMM: Laureyn Furtney (90:00), eight saves;
Shots On Goal: FIT: 18; EMM: 21