Women’s Soccer advances to NCAA Third Round for first time in school history

Box Score CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Roger Williams University junior Haley Carignan (Scarborough, Maine) netted the game-winning goal at 101:27 in the second overtime period to lift the Hawks past No. 24 MIT, 1-0, in the second round of the NCAA Division III Women's Soccer Tournament on Sunday afternoon at Roberts Field and Steinbrenner Stadium.

With the win, the Hawks advance to the third round, while the Engineers see their season conclude with a 15-5-2 overall mark. The win also ties a school record for RWU for the most wins in a single season.

Roger Williams' (19-2-4) backline controlled the first half, keeping the MIT offense off the board. Tech saw a few goal-scoring opportunities denied, including a pass in the Hawks' box from junior Morgan Moroi (New Albany, Ohio) to freshman Olivia Struckman (Scottsdale, Ariz.), which was intercepted just outside the box on the nearside. Freshman Jacqueline Simmons (Houston, Texas) attempted to net the go-ahead goal following a cross from senior Elena Gianotas (Trabuco Canyon, Calif.), but her header landed to the right of the net at 26:34.

In the second half, the Hawks attempted to score off a free kick from junior Jessica Valenti (North Reading, Mass.), but her shot was denied by the Engineers' defense at the top of the box. MIT also had a couple of opportunities to net the match's initial strike, including an attempt from Moroi, who fired a shot on the doorstep high above the Roger Williams crossbar at 47:39. Senior Michelle Battipaglia (Katonah, N.Y.) also tried to locate the back of the net at 48:42, but saw her shot stopped by freshman goalkeeper Sydney Martin (Scarborough, Maine).

Both teams continued to trade shots throughout the remainder of the second half, but neither was able to register one goal. Roger Williams University, which outshot the Engineers 5-0 in both overtime periods, attempted three shots in the first overtime. Junior Mariah Kaiser (Portsmouth, R.I.) attempted to seal the win with the Hawks' third shot of the first overtime period at 95:57, but her shot inside the box sailed wide of the cage. Carignan eventually sealed the win in the second overtime period when she collected a feed from Kaiser on the near post and fired home her seventh goal of the season past numerous MIT defenders in the middle of the box.

Roger Williams outshot MIT, 16-9, and held an advantage in corners, four to two. Martin registered four saves, while junior Lauren Ullmann (Princeton, N.J.) stopped two shots. Kaiser led all players with six shots and Moroi paced the Engineers with three.

- Release courtesy of the MIT Sports Information Department

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Players Mentioned

#5 Haley Carignan: F; 5' 3"; Junior

#7 Mariah Kaiser: F; 5' 7"; Junior

#8 Jessica Valenti: MF; 5' 5"; Junior

#1 Sydney Martin: GK; 5' 7"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#5 Haley Carignan
: 5' 3"; Junior
: F

#7 Mariah Kaiser
: 5' 7"; Junior
: F

#8 Jessica Valenti
: 5' 5"; Junior
: MF

#1 Sydney Martin
: 5' 7"; Freshman
: GK