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It was a memorable day of fútbol at the NEC Women's Soccer Tournament. The No. 3 & No. 4 seeds both advanced to the final for the first time in conference history, winning on the road in come-from-behind fashion on a day in which every goal was scored on a set piece. Top-seeded CCSU saw it's four-year NEC title run stopped in a 2-1 setback to FDU, as the Knights became the first No. 4 seed in 18 years to advance to the title tilt. In the nightcap, No. 3 Sacred Heart spoiled No. 2 Merrimack's postseason debut, advancing to its first final since 2007. To catch all the action on Championship Sunday, tune in at 1 pm to ESPN3, NEC Front Row or on NEC on the Run streaming and mobile apps for iOS and Andrioid devices.
Semifinal #1
#4 FDU 2, #1 CCSU 1
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New Britain, CT -- History was made in more ways than one in the first NEC Women's Soccer Tournament semifinal matchup of the day in New Britain, CT.
In coming from behind to post a 2-1 win, Fairleigh Dickinson (8-10-2) became the first fourth-seeded team to go through to the final since 2004, and at the same time, dethroned four-time defending champion and top-seeded CCSU.
The Knights return to the title match for the second straight year and third time in four years in pursuit of the program's second NEC crown. FDU won it all back in 2015.
CCSU, which was looking to secure its 12th NEC championship, ends its year with a 9-6-2 mark.
Following an evenly matched first half that produced little in the way of scoring opportunities, it didn't take long for CCSU to break the seal in the second stanza.
Off a corner kick, Kelly Brady headed toward the goal and the ball found the foot of Victoria Violette, who with her back to the net, flicked the ball in to give the Blue Devils a 1-0 edge in the 49th minute. It was the first career goal for the sophomore defender.
Less than five minutes later, FDU found the equalizer, and it was a beauty.
Lea Egner took a corner kick and expertly bent it in off the far post for the rare Olimpico goal that changed the momentum of the contest.
It was another set piece that gave the Knights the lead for good.
In the 65th minute, Paula Reuss sent a long free kick into the box and Madelyn Robbins went up high for a powerful header into the upper 90.
CCSU had a great opportunity to tie things up in the 69th minute, but four-time NEC Midfielder of the Year Roma McLaughlin's brilliant strike from distance hit the crossbar and was cleared away.
The Blue Devils had another chance with just under 13 minutes to play when McLaughlin hit Aoife Horgan with a bouncing pass on the dead run, but the sophomore striker's chip was deflected over the crossbar by FDU keeper Malene Nielsen.
CCSU outshot FDU, 17-11, but both teams managed six corners.
Nielsen finished with four saves for FDU, while Caitlyn Murphy made five stops.
Semifinal #2
#3 Sacred Heart 2, #2 Merrimack 1
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North Andover, MA -- Sacred Heart women's soccer fans had a 15-year in between NEC Tournament wins.
They only had to wait four days for another, and this one sent the Pioneers to Sunday's conference final.
Third-seeded Sacred Heart (11-5-4) had to rally on the road to secure a 2-1 win against a second-seeded Merrimack (8-8-3) side making its first-ever NEC postseason appearance in any sport before an enthusiastic crowd at Martone-Mejail Field in North Andover, MA.
The Pioneers, who won their lone NEC championship in 2004, last reached a final in 2007.
It was the host Warriors who struck first in the 12th minute.
After a corner kick bounced out to the top of the box, Merrimack's Erin Tyldesley seized on the opportunity and rocketed a line drive shot past the traffic into the left corner netting for the initial NEC Tournament goal for the Warriors.
Sacred Heart was able to equalize 11 minutes later on a set piece.
From a wide angle 10 yards outside the box, first team All-NEC midfielder Nichol Green fired a low shot on goal that Merrimack keeper Lily Morgan was not able to field cleanly as the ball caromed into the corner of the goal.
NEC Defensive Player and Goalkeeper of the Year Elyssa Kipperman kept the score level in the 25th minute, showing off her skills by leaping high to punch Cassie Avenick's looping shot over the crossbar.
Tied at 1-1 at the half, it took the Pioneers all of four minutes to net a second goal that would stand up as the game-winner.
Nichol Green's corner was deflected by a tumbling Morgan right to NEC Rookie of the Year Morgan Bovardi, who headed the ball in for her eight goal of the year.
Merrimack enjoyed a 15-10 edge in shots and finished with seven corners, compared to three for SHU.
Kipperman finished the evening with three saves, while Morgan turned away one shot.