CCSU Goes Back-to-Back! Blue Devils Capture 10th NEC Women's Soccer Title - Northeast Conference Skip To Main Content
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CCSU Goes Back-to-Back! Blue Devils Capture 10th NEC Women's Soccer Title

11/10/2019


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New Britain, CT -- Central Connecticut sophomore midfielder and 2019 NEC Midfielder of the Year Roma McLaughlin (Donegal, Ireland/Moville Community College) netted her tenth goal of the year in the first half and the goal to stood up as top-seeded Central Connecticut edged second-seeded Fairleigh Dickinson, 1-0, in the NEC women’s soccer title match in New Britain, CT.
 
The Blue Devils (12-4-4) repeated as NEC champion, claiming the program's tenth NEC title and eighth under 20th year head coach Mick D’Arcy in the process. CCSU will enter the NCAA Tournament on a nine-match win streak.
 
CCSU senior Yo Tachibana (Nissin, Japan/Tomioka/Florida State) collected the Tournament MVP award, creating opportunities throughout the tournament from her midfield spot. 
 
The Blue Devils were challenged early on in the game with rookie goalkeeper Amanda McQuillian (Johnstown County Meath, Ireland/Beaufort College) making a diving save on a free kick to keep the game scoreless in the tenth minute. The Blue Devils went right back at the Knights, pressuring NEC Co-Goalkeeper of the Year Amanda Fitzgerald (Holbrook, NY/Sachem East), who made a sprawling save on a Allyson O’Rourke (Braintree, MA/Braintree) shot.
 
The lone goal of the game came in the 18th minute, when McLaughlin was able to cut off an attempted clear by the Knight’s defense, using one touch before firing the ball over Fitzgerald's outstreched hands for the eventual game-winner.

The Blue Devils nearly added a second goal late in the second half when junor defender Erica Bardes (Montvale, NJ/Pascaak Hills) sent a rocket off the crossbar. The ball was redirected back to Tachibana, who fired a point blank shot that Fitzgerald was able to deflect away with a terrific diving save to keep the game at 1-0.

Fitzgerald concluded the game with four saves and McQuillan made one, as the Blue Devils outshot the Knights, nine to six.

Central Connecticut now awaits tomorrow's selection show to be aired on NCAA.com at 4:30 p.m.

NEC All-Tournament Team
Yo Tachibana, CCSU - MVP
Allyson O'Rourke, CCSU
Taylor Smith, CCSU
Brianna Williams, CCSU
Amanda Fitzgerald, FDU
Maddie Robbins, FDU
Maja Skansberg, FDU
Marissa Grasso, BRY
Jamie Irwin, BRY
Elyssa Kipperman, SHU
Kathryn White, SHU