UNCW Women's Soccer Team Wins, Earns Home Game In CAA Tourney

Senior Brittany Croce and sophomore Megan Novak, pictured, both scored their first collegiate goals to lead UNC Wilmington to a 3-0 victory over Georgia State in Colonial Athletic Association women’s soccer action Thursday at thePanthersville Athletics Complex. With their win, and some outside help on Thursday, UNCW finished third in the CAA standings and will have a home game to open the conference tournament.

The Seahawks, who extended their winning streak to four games with the win, finished the regular season with a 12-6-1 overall mark and an 8-3 ledger in CAA play. The eight wins versus league competition ties the program’s single-season record, set during the 2006 season. Georgia State, meanwhile, closed out the 2008 season at 11-9 overall and 4-7 in CAA action.

“Brittany’s (Croce) goal was key for us today,” said UNCW Head Coach Paul Cairney. “Georgia State had controlled play through the first 15 minutes and her strike really changed the momentum. We’re happy to get the win on the road and we look to use that momentum as we prepare for our first-round game next Tuesday.”

Croce opened the scoring at the 19:24 mark of the first half as a clearing attempt by the Panthers found the Stafford, Va., product, who deposited the ball into the back of the net for her first goal in 51 career games.

Novak doubled the Seahawks’ advantage to 2-0 with 9:38 remaining in the contest, putting home a loose ball following a Seahawks’ corner kick.

Senior Sarah Matthews closed out the scoring in the 87th minute when she deposited a rebound opportunity for her fifth goal of the season. Freshman Kelly Dodd was credited with an assist on the play.

Freshman Chandler Follett made six stops in goal for UNCW to record her fifth shutout of the season. The shutout was also the ninth of the season for the Seahawks, shattering the single-season mark of eight established during the 2006 season. Heidi Blankenship made two stops for Georgia State.

“We talked about the shutout record before the game and what it means to the program.” said Cairney. “To keep an offensive juggernaut like Georgia State off the board is just one example of how hard our backline and keepers have worked this season.”

With the Seahawks 3-0 win at Georgia State and losses by both Hofstra and Old Dominion on the final day of the regular season, the UNC Wilmington women’s soccer team has secured the third seed for the 2008 CAA Women’s Soccer Championship and will host a first-round match against sixth-seed Northeastern Tuesday Nov. 4 at the UNCW Soccer Stadium.

”Everything fell into place for us today,” said UNCW head coach Paul Cairney. “We were able to defeat a talented Georgia State squad and we were fortunate in that we had some of the other games around the league go in our favor. We look forward to hosting a very well-coached Northeastern squad at home next Tuesday in front of what should be a very enthusiastic crowd.”

The Seahawks finished the regular season tied for second with James Madison, but the Dukes hold the tie breaker based on head-to-head performance and will receive the second seed and the first-round bye.

UNCW returns to the postseason for the third straight season while Northeastern is making its second appearance since joining the CAA in 2005. The Seahawks won the only regular season meeting the two sides, 2-1, in Boston on Oct. 19 as senior Sarah Matthews and sophomore Tandy Banks scored in the first half and freshman keeper Chandler Follett made a career-high nine saves.

William & Mary, who defeated Old Dominion by a 3-2 margin in its regular-season finale Thursday, secured the top seed and receive a first-round bye. The Tribe will host the semifinals and finals at Albert-Daly Field Nov. 7 and 9. Hofstra and Old Dominion finished in a tie for fourth, but the Lady Monarchs hold the tie-breaker and will host the Pride in the other first-round match Nov. 4.

The game time and ticket information for the UNCW-Northeastern match has yet to be determined. More information will be released once it becomes available. -Courtesy UNCW

-- Jesse Jones, CAPE FEAR SPORTS REPORT