Gulls Beat Red Dragons, Advance to NCAA Second Round
Nov. 10, 2007
DANBURY, CT - Endicott College scored two second half goals in the opening round of the NCAA Division III Women's Soccer Tournament to defeat Oneonta State University on Saturday afternoon at the Westside Athletic Complex on the campus of Western Connecticut State University in Danbury.
The Gulls opened the scoring in the 48th minute as Margreta Weber (Bedford, NH/Manchester West) capped off a barrage of Endicott shot attempts with her sixth goal of the season. Weber was left alone on the right side of the box and booted the loose ball into the right corner of the Oneonta goal. The initial shot, taken by Erica Hunt (Colchester, VT/Colchester), deflected off the Red Dragons' keeper Jeannine Marra (Thiells, CT) and went right to Weber for the rebound goal.
The Gulls doubled their advantage in the 64th minute when Paula McGinn (Lynn, MA/Lynn Classical) connected for her eighth goal of the season. McGinn collected Sarah Miller's (Nashua, NH/Bishop Geurtin) initial shot that caromed off the crossbar and buried home the rebound for the 2-0 lead.
Oneonta pulled within one when Mary Velan (Stamford, NY) scored her 19th goal of the season off an assist from Lindsey Brechbiel (Garnerville, NY). Brechbiel's shot deflected off Endicott keeper Amy Meuse (Saugus, MA/Saugus), allowing Velan to gather the rebound and find the back of the net.
The one goal deficit would prove insurmountable for the Red Dragons as Endicott received an outstanding performance from goalkeeper Amy Meuse. The Gulls' junior made nine saves and came off the line several times in the second half to thwart numerous scoring chances by the 2003 National Champions. Oneonta keeper Jeannine Marra made six stops to close out the Red Dragons' season at 17-4-1.
With the win, Endicott (17-5-0) advances to the second round of the 2007 NCAA Division III Women's Soccer Tournament where they will meet host Western Connecticut State University. The Colonials (18-2-1) defeated Rowan University, 2-0, in the early game on Saturday afternoon. Game time is slated for 1:00 p.m. in Danbury, Conn on Sunday. The winner will advance to the Sectionals next weekend at a site to be determined.