Gulls Advance to CCC Finals

Beverly, MA--After battling to a 2-2 tie through 90 minutes of regulation and two 10-minute overtime sessions, EC defeated Salve Regina in a round of five penalty kicks in the Commonwealth Coast Conference semifinals. The first-seeded EC outscored the fourth-seeded Salve women's soccer team 4-2, during the game ending penalty kicks.

Scoring the penalty kicks for EC were Jessica Scholz, Caitlin D'Amario, Staci Wiencko and Stacey Lubas. EC's goalkeeper Sarah Nichols made a big save on Salve's second kick, preventing Salve from going ahead 2-1. Salve scored on their first and fourth attempt, kicking their third attempt wide of the goal. Lubas' kick was the game-winner, giving EC the 4-2 penalty kick win.

In regulation, it was EC who was on the scoreboard first in the 47th minute of play. Staci Wiencko headed a cornerkick from Dana Schutz into the back of the net. The Gulls scored again in the 86th mark, when Lubas scored her fourth goal of the postseason. But Salve would score two goals in the matter of minutes to tie the score, and send the game into overtime.

With the win, EC advances to the CCC Finals on Saturday at 1pm. They will host third-seed Wentworth.