Gulls Poised to Reach Third Straight NCAA Tournament

Aug. 17, 2005

BEVERLY, MA -- Conference titles and NCAA appearances are a regular accomplishment for the Endicott women's soccer team. The Gulls qualified for the NCAA tournament four times in the last six seasons, advancing to the Division III New England Final Four in 2003, and have finished the season ranked in the top 15 in New England each of the previous four years.

Endicott joined the Commonwealth Coast Conference in 1999 and the women's soccer team quickly established its superiority. The Gulls captured the school's first CCC title in its inaugural season in the conference, earning an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.

The postseason has been Endicott's forum to shine. In all, the Gulls have five conference titles (1997, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2004) and four NCAA appearances (1999, 2001, 2003, 2004). In 2003, Endicott became the first team in school history to win a home NCAA tournament game.

The women's soccer team continued its winning ways in 2004. Endicott played in the title game for the fifth time in six years after compiling an 11-1 conference record (16-5 overall). The Gulls also went undefeated in conference play at home for the second straight year.

The 2004 season seemed more like an extension of the record-breaking 2003 campaign. Not only did the team dominate conference play but they branched out to compete, and defeat, some of the best competition in New England. Endicott's storybook season ended at home in the NCAA tourney with a 3-1 loss versus Williams in front of a great crowd.

Endicott is shooting for its third straight title and is poised to advance further into the elite NCAA tourney. The Gulls, who play the top teams in the region and country in order to compete at the highest level possible, rely on the scoring punch of junior Caitlin D'Amario (East Longmeadow, MA) and sophomore Paula McGinn (Lynn, MA).

Returning midfielders Meg Sniegoski (Boxboro, MA ) and Margreta Weber (Bedford, NH) provide vision and leadership while junior Staci Wiencko (Pembroke, MA) and goalkeeper Tina Loguidice (Hyde Park , NY) stabilize the backline.

Senior midfielder Jillian Zagura (Hudson, MA) and senior defenseman Katie Cederberg (North Grafton, MA) add speed and experience to the heart of the defense.

The Gulls' ultimate goal is to raise the level of excellence as they look to repeat as conference champions and garner national respect.