Gulls Fall to Amherst in NCAA Sectionals
Nov. 18, 2006
EWING, NJ - The clock struck midnight on EC's Cinderella run in the NCAA Tournament with a 1-0 loss to Amherst College, Saturday afternoon.
Amherst senior Jenny Muller (Andover, MA/Andover) scored the only goal of the match just 43 seconds into second half of play on a feed from sophomore midfielder Mary Marvel (Williamsburg, MA/Hampshire Regional).
With the win the Lord Jeffs' advance to the sectional finals where they will meet the College of New Jersey, the winner of that game will advance to the NCAA Final Four.
Endicott senior goalkeeper Tina Loguidice (Hyde Park, NY/F.D. Roosevelt) played an incredible game between the pipes for EC as she made 11 saves on 23 Amherst shots, keeping the Gulls in game.
EC also got strong play from captains Caitlin D'Amario (East Longmeadow, MA/East Longmeadow) and Kim Shields (Pomfret, CT/Woodstock Academy) who helped spark Endicott's offense and challenged Amherst goalkeeper Piper Crowell (San Rafael, CA/Marin).
Margreta Weber (Manchester, NH/Manchester West) and Erica Hunt (Colchester, VT/Colchester) played well in the midfield and also contributed to the Gulls offensive and defensive efforts, while Staci Wiencko (Pembroke, MA/Notre Dame Academy) anchored the Endicott defense and keeping the Gulls in the game.
Amherst has been a tough draw for the Gulls in recent history as the Jeffs' knocked Endicott out of the NCAA tournament in the second round in 2003 with a 2-1 overtime defeat. Amherst also handed EC a first round loss in 2001.
The Gulls wrap up their season at 19-4-1 after making the deepest run into the NCAA Tournament of any team in Endicott history when they reached the Sweet 16. It was the sixth NCAA appearance, and fourth straight, for the Gulls who are now 3-6 lifetime in national tournament play.