By Christopher Boulay
After an inspired performance in the semi-final, where CCSU defeated LIU 1-0, the Blue Devils’ women’s soccer team fell in a 1-0 heartbreaker to Monmouth in the NEC Championship on Sunday afternoon.
A goal by Hawks’ forward Mary Wilks in the 92nd minute sealed the Blue Devils’ (12-7-2) fate, and guaranteed that the regular season NEC champions will not be going to the NCAA Tournament, despite the squad’s 10-1-1 record in the conference.
“It was a great individual goal. She got it, turned and created some space for herself,” Coach Mick D’Arcy said. “She’s the leading goal scorer in the conference, and it was great execution on the play.”
CCSU won the first matchup of the tournament when Leah Blayney scored in the 71st minute to knock off the Blackbirds, and send CCSU to the NEC final, which they reached for the eighth time.
Despite the loss, the players tried to stay positive, as the season didn’t have the successful ending that the team had hoped.
“Yeah we lost, but I don’t think it takes away from the great season we had,” captain Clio Treager said.
CCSU looked strong throughout the first half, and a goal looked to be overdue, but in the second half the momentum shifted almost completely. Monmouth (15-4-1) was on the attack for the majority of the last 45 minutes, and had the best chances of the match.
“I have to give a lot of credit to Monmouth. They came in and played very well,” D’Arcy said. “ I wish them the best of luck in the NCAA [Tournament].”
Monmouth outshot CCSU 13-12. Caity Casey made three saves in her final match for the Blue Devils. For Monmouth, Lia Fierro made three saves and recorded a clean sheet.
Blaney created some of the best opportunities for the Blue Devils during the match, taking half of the team’s shots.
“[The match] didn’t end the way we wanted it to today, but it doesn’t take away from my time with this team,” Blaney said.
The Hawks had five corner kicks, with the Blue Devils only able to get two.
The Blue Devils committed eight fouls in the match, compared to Monmouth’s seven. Jillian Cipriano received a yellow card in the 29th minute, Cara Cavallari was given a yellow card in the 39th minute and Brittany Emin was also cautioned in the 86th minute. For the Hawks, Tracey Biederstadt was cautioned in the 74th minute of play.
Notes – The attendance of the NEC Championship was 826. This is CCSU’s first loss in the NEC Championship, previously going 7-0 in the final. Blaney was named NEC Player of the Year, and D’Arcy was named the NEC Coach of the Year. Blayney, Treager and Casey were all selected to the NEC All-Tournament Team.